By Hamilton Nwosa (Head, The New Diplomat’s Polling, Research and data desk)
Mr Tony Elumelu, Chairman of both United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Transcorp Plc, respectively has been listed along with three other Nigerians as among TIME magazine’s 100 most influential persons in the world in 2020. The other outstanding Nigerians listed are Nigerian-American novelist Tomi Adeyemi and a reputable Lagos-based Cardiologist, Tunji Funsho. This recognition has elicited commendation from some Nigerians who are excited describing it as a ” welcome development for Nigeria’s profile internationally.”
Tony Elumelu who also sits atop the board of a variety of companies besides UBA Group and Transcorp PLC is well recognized and known as a first-rate businessman, philanthropist and entrepreneur with global outreach. He is the founder of Heirs Holding which deals with a wide range of business subject matters including Oil and Gas, Construction, Power, Energy, Infrastructure , etc.
To his credit, Elumelu has sufficiently grown UBA which now operates in about 20 African countries as well as in other developed jurisdictions including the UK, USA, France, etc. In a bid to catalyze the spirit and skills of young entrepreneurs across Africa, Elumelu founded The Elumelu Foundation (TEF) in 2010. Currently in its 10th year, the TEF has made sterling accomplishments that have left many wondering where the enigmatic business cum Philanthropist gets the energy and time to devote to these various initiatives.
The second person on the roll, novelist Tomi Adeyemi, was educated at Harvard University. She is an outstanding creative writer whose expertise and profound knowledge have been spectacular and acknowledged globally. She is author of Children of Blood and Bone, the first in the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, among others. She was listed in the Pioneers Roll.
Mr Funsho, the third Nigerian on the honours roll is an established cardiologist based in Lagos, Nigeria. He is a Rotary member with passionate commitment to the goal of eradicating polio in Africa. He was listed among those on the Titans roll just as Elumelu.
Here is the full List with the various Categories as Indicated By TIME Magazine
Pioneers
Megan Thee Stallion
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Ibram X. Kendi
Nathan Law
Tomi Adeyemi
Astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir
Julie K. Brown
Cecilia Martinez
Maya Moore
Chase Strangio
Zhang Yongzhen
Tourmaline
Waad al-Kateab
Abubacarr Tambadou
Gabriela Cámara
Camilla Rothe
Rebecca Gomperts
Ravindra Gupta
Lauren Gardner
Shi Zhengli
Shiori Ito
Artists
The Weeknd
Ali Wong
Michael B. Jordan
Selena Gomez
J Balvin
JoJo Siwa
Halsey
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Jennifer Hudson
Yo-Yo Ma
Dapper Dan
Anaïs Mitchell
Michaela Coel
Bong Joon Ho
Lastesis
Julie Mehretu
Ayushmann Khurrana
Leaders
Anthony Fauci
Kamala Harris
Tsai Ing-wen
John Roberts
Xi Jinping
Donald Trump
Caesar
Angela Merkel
Joe Biden
Jair Bolsonaro
Nancy Pelosi
Narendra Modi
William Barr
Anne Hidalgo
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Mary Kay Henry
Nemonte Nenquimo
Ursula von der Leyen
Jung Eun-kyeong
Bonnie Castillo
Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum
Yousef Al Otaiba
Titans
Gabrielle Union
Dwyane Wade
Sundar Pichai
Tyler Perry
MacKenzie Scott
Robert F. Smith
Lewis Hamilton
Jerome Powell
Eric Yuan
Patrick Mahomes
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot
Greg Berlanti
Shari Redstone
Tony Elumelu
Zhong Nanshan
Kristalina Georgieva
Lisa Nishimura
General Charles Q. Brown Jr
Daniel Zhang
Gwynne Shotwell
Tunji Funsho
Icons
Amy O’Sullivan
Black Lives Matter Founders Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi
Ady Barkan
Billy Porter
Naomi Osaka
Angela Davis
Chi Chia-wei
Megan Rapinoe
Felipe Neto
Allyson Felix
Sister Norma Pimentel
David Hill
Arussi Unda
Nury Turkel
Lina Attalah
Bilkis
