UBA chairman Tony Elumelu cancels his annual event to honour six workers who died in the Lagos fire tragedy
Chairman of the United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu, on Tuesday cancelled his annual TOE All-White Party to honour six staff members who died in the September fire at Afriland Towers in Lagos.
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The incident occurred in the high-rise building on Broad Street and left the business community in shock.
In a message shared on his Instagram story, Tony Elumelu said he and his wife, Dr Awele Elumelu, made the difficult decision to suspend the 23 December celebration.
He stated that the moment demands reflection and compassion, and noted that the season would be dedicated to remembering the victims.
He wrote that many friends had asked about the event, which has become a December highlight.
He explained that the loss of lives made it necessary to cancel this year’s edition.
He said the couple would instead hold space for the memories of the deceased, describing the tragedy as heartbreaking.
Elumelu added that he looks forward to hosting guests again on 23 December 2026, by God’s grace.
He also wished the public a peaceful Christmas, thanking them for their understanding and kindness.
Tony Elumelu, a billionaire businessman, economist, and philanthropist, chairs Heirs Holdings and Transcorp.
He founded the Tony Elumelu Foundation and was named among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2020.
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He has been married to Dr Awele Vivian Elumelu since 1993, and they have seven children.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
