The Chairman of United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu, has won the 2025 Appeal of Conscience Award by the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, founded by Rabbi Arthur Schneier.
According to a statement, the award was received on his behalf by his wife, Dr Awele Elumelu.
Rabbi Arthur Schneier, in 1965, came up with the idea to establish a vibrant international coalition of interfaith business, religious, and foreign policy leaders to uphold the principle “live and let live” and address issues pertaining to human rights, religious freedom, and mutual understanding in former Communist countries.
Awele, who represented her husband at the event, read his speech, which touched on the victims of the recent fire incident at Afriland Towers.
He said, “It is an honour to receive this award, one that deeply resonates with my personal values, and it is a privilege to be associated with the legacy represented by the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and Rabbi Arthur Schneier. It is with a heavy heart, weighed by recent and profound loss, that I accept this award. Just a few days ago, we lost six beloved colleagues in a tragic incident.
“They were family, friends, mothers, sons, and daughters, hard-working individuals who were dedicated to building a better Africa. Their absence leaves a void that cannot be filled.
“Across our group, we are grieving this deep loss.”
Speaking to his passion for empowering people, Elumelu said, “Humanity first: that has been the core of my life, what keeps me up at night: how can we transform lives across Africa?
How do we leave a legacy that uplifts people and creates opportunity for everyone? I was not born with a silver spoon, I was not educated abroad, and I inherited nothing.”
He went on to dedicate the award to “the thousands of capitalists across the African continent who relentlessly create the Africa we envision; the young entrepreneurs, innovators, and my colleagues across Heirs Holdings Group who are working tirelessly, often against great odds, to create a better future, to improve lives and transform Africa.”
The other recipient is the Archbishop of New York and award recipient, Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
“ Elumelu stands as a beacon of ethical entrepreneurship and visionary leadership… Business can be a powerful force for peace, stability, and human dignity. His commitment to uplifting others is a living example of conscience in action,” said the founder of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, Rabbi Schneier. “The Appeal of Conscience Foundation has chosen to honour Elumelu and Cardinal Dolan because they personify the moral leadership and global responsibility that ACF stands for; their works in faith, community, and economic empowerment remind us that progress and conscience go hand in hand,” stated the Appeal of Conscience Gala Chair, Brian Moynihan.
