By Oladapo Sofowora
 
December is a particularly vibrant and deeply meaningful month in Nigeria, imbued with a palpable sense of excitement and celebration that permeates the air. As daily life slows down, this festive season offers a welcome opportunity for relaxation and togetherness. Families and friends gather to create cherished memories, participating in a rich tapestry of cultural activities that showcase Nigeria’s diverse heritage. The month is characterized by a colourful array of events, including theatrical plays, musical concerts, traditional festivals, operas, fashion shows, poetry readings, and various forms of performance arts, all reflecting the dynamic cultural expressions of Nigerian society.
 As December unfolds, the excitement continues to build, with streets and homes becoming vibrant displays of holiday spirit. Elaborate decorations adorn every corner, featuring colourful Christmas ornaments, twinkling lights, and festive paraphernalia that evoke a sense of wonder and joy. Evening skies light up with breathtaking fireworks, illuminating the night and further enhancing the joyous mood of the season. Year-end Thanksgiving parties have become commonplace, offering spaces for loved ones to gather, share meals, and express gratitude for the blessings and experiences of the past year. This period also allows Nigerians to reconnect with family and friends, many of whom travel from various parts of the globe to partake in these significant celebrations.
 As the year-end festivities for 2024 draw near, FirstBank has thoughtfully curated an exhilarating lineup of events under the DecemberIssaVybe program, aimed at enhancing the enjoyment of this festive season. A highlight of this initiative is the much-anticipated concert featuring The Cavemen, a celebrated musical duo. Which was held on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Muri Okunola Park, located along the bustling Lekki-Epe Expressway, the event brought Lagos to life with a captivating performance that seamlessly blends highlife, soul, and folk music. Attendees enjoyed an engaging experience filled with mesmerizing sounds for over an hour, keeping them on their feet and immersed in the rhythm.
 The atmosphere at the concert was electrifying, drawing a diverse crowd of enthusiastic youth eager to experience The Cavemen’s unique interpretation of highlife music—a genre deeply rooted in Nigerian culture and characterized by its rich, rhythmic beats and soulful melodies. The concert also featured an impressive lineup of other notable artists, such as the popular act Ckay, who collectively contributed to a night filled with remarkable entertainment and unforgettable performances. The stage witnessed a pulsation of energy as The Cavemen’s talented band propelled the evening forward, delivering an infectious performance marked by masterfully executed guitar riffs, powerful drumming, and enchanting vocals. Audiences found themselves wholly absorbed in the moment, as the music unites them in joy and celebration, showcasing the revitalization and redefinition of the highlife genre that The Cavemen have pioneered.
In addition to the music, the concert artfully integrates comedic performances, highlighting the vibrant and diverse creative entertainment scene in Africa. Acclaimed comedians took to the stage, drawing laughter and delight from the crowd, while emerging music also had their moment in the spotlight, receiving enthusiastic applause and encouragement from an appreciative audience. Recognising the profound impact of December in nurturing relationships and spreading joy, FirstBank has actively engaged its First@arts initiative to launch the annual DecemberIssaVybe campaign. This initiative is meticulously crafted to inspire and empower individuals across Nigeria to create and experience exhilarating moments throughout this joyous season. By providing fully sponsored access to premium concerts, theatrical performances, shows, and festivals featuring some of the industry’s top entertainers, FirstBank aims to alleviate the financial burdens that often accompany festive celebrations.
 In a time marked by economic uncertainty, FirstBank stands as a crucial support system for Nigerians wishing to celebrate without the weight of added financial stress. With a proud legacy spanning over 130 years, this esteemed financial institution has woven itself into the fabric of Nigerian life. FirstBank has long championed numerous festive concerts showcasing Africa’s music icons, including Kizz Daniel, Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, and Tiwa Savage, crafting unforgettable experiences for music aficionados across the nation.
The DecemberIssaVybe campaign encapsulates the essence of creating lasting memories during this festive season. It serves as a dynamic platform for both local and international audiences to immerse themselves in unique, culturally rich experiences tailored to the holiday spirit. Since its inception in 2018, the FirstBankIssaVybe campaign has quickly become a highly anticipated annual event, delighting participants with exhilarating moments designed to resonate and linger long after the celebrations are over. Olayinka Ijabiyi, the Acting Group Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, emphasized the institution’s unwavering commitment to crafting a ‘Wow December to Remember’ experience for individuals of all ages. He stated, “FirstBank is devoted to facilitating memorable homecoming experiences this December through gatherings such as weddings, family reunions, and festive celebrations, ensuring that every moment spent together is cherished.” Through this commitment, FirstBank continues to play a pivotal role in the celebration of culture and community during this significant time of year.

By Ambassador Richard M. Mills, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria
Every December, we mark three international observances that are at the heart of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership: World AIDS Day, International Anti-Corruption Day, and Human Rights Day.  While distinct, these commemorations underscore a simple truth – Nigeria’s path forward requires progress on health, good governance, and human rights.  The United States remains your steadfast partner on this journey. For two decades, the United States has stood with Nigeria in the fight against HIV/AIDS under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  The U.S. government has invested more than $8.3 billion in Nigeria’s health sector and provided life-saving anti-retroviral treatment to more than 1.5 million people.  These numbers represent improved life expectancy and quality of life for these Nigerians and their families.  In clinics across Nigeria, I’ve met dedicated healthcare workers who deliver HIV prevention, treatment, and care, supported by the resources of the American people.  This work has done more than save lives – using HIV as an entry point, Nigeria’s health system has also benefited.  
As Nigeria’s health system is strengthened, this important work will be led by government and engagement with the private sector to sustain the gains.  This commitment was reinforced during Ambassador Nkengasong’s recent visit, where his discussions with Nigerian health officials focused on how the Government of Nigeria would sustain the HIV health programs with strengthened Nigerian leadership and local ownership. But positive health outcomes depend critically on good governance.  When medical supplies are diverted, when healthcare workers go unpaid, when facilities buy dangerous, counterfeit medications or lack resources due to mismanaged funds, it costs lives. 
This is why the United States supports numerous initiatives, not only in the health sector, to enhance transparency and accountability in Nigeria.  Our programs work directly with government agencies and civil society organizations to strengthen fiscal responsibility with the goal of the state ensuring resources reach their intended beneficiaries.
The success of these efforts rests on respect for human rights and civic engagement.  When members of marginalized communities face discrimination in accessing healthcare, when citizens fear reporting blatant corruption like the need to pay for appointments or ‘free’ healthcare, or when vulnerable populations cannot advocate for their needs, development falters.  Through our partnership with Nigeria, we promote the rights of every person to access essential services and enjoy fundamental freedoms without fear or discrimination. These three areas – health, transparency, and human rights – reinforce each other. 
Consider the results: U.S.-supported initiatives have helped strengthen pharmaceutical supply chains, reducing theft and ensuring safe medicines reach patients.  Our human rights programming has empowered civil society organizations to advocate for marginalized communities, leading to better access to health services.  Our health system investments have created platforms for transparency that benefit all sectors.  And, perhaps most importantly, according to a recent survey by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Nigerians are both more frequently refusing to pay bribes and reporting bribe seekers to investigative journalists and rule of law authorities.  A shift in norms is beginning to take root and must continue.    
 The U.S. Embassy stands ready to support Nigerian voices pressing the fight against corruption in Nigeria.  To Nigeria’s government officials, civil society leaders, healthcare workers, and citizens:  your dedication to building a stronger nation inspires us.  Together, we can continue to advance the interconnected goals of better health outcomes, good governance, and human rights for all Nigerians.  Challenges remain, but the work we’ve done together shows what could be possible on a larger scale across these crucial domains. As we mark these December observances, let us use this moment not just for reflection, but for renewed commitment and action.  The United States continues to stand with the Nigerian people as they carry out this essential work with their elected government.
*Ambassador Richard M. Mills is U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria

By Omoh Gabriel

At the gathering in Lagos of young entrepreneurs and well wishers of Tony Elumelu to celebrate his 60th birthday, former America President Bill Clinton in a video clip thanked Elumelu for believing in a better future. This is a profound statement as many African politicians who have the responsibility of shaping a better future for Africans have only worked for their pockets. Yet, one of the beneficiary said that it is hard to believe that a man like Tony would invest so much of his hard earned money on youths without asking for anything in return, not even a vote. She echoed the voice of several African young entrepreneur whom Elumelu  had touched and help to grow their businesses. The two speakers elucidate the yearnings of Africa youths who have been denied the needed conducive environment to grow. Tony is one who believe strongly in share value and in pursuit  of this has been giving back to society through the several businesses he has established. He is one person who believe that the Africa narrative can be changed for good through entrepreneurship. At 60, he can look back with some level of satisfaction that life has been kind to him, and he has been kind to other human beings by making life better for them. Those who have had contact with him at close quarter will testify of his kind gesture. The foundation he sets up after stepping down as the CEO of UBA has impacted many. He has trained well over 1.5 million entrepreneurs across Africa. The foundation has disbursed about $100 million to around 18,000 aspiring Africa entrepreneurs who have created over 400,000 jobs across Africa. He tells Africa youth that the Future of Africa is in their hands 

In 2014, while in Vanguard as the Group Business Editor, I had the unenviable task of having to write a tribute for him as the Vanguard Business Personality 2014. Here is what I wrote then. “Africa has long been described as a dark continent where nothing good is happening apart from savagery and war of attrition. This notion has in the past tended to make African stars to be clouded out of reckoning by others. Today, a new vocabulary called African capitalism has entered into the global business dictionary. It is the idea of an African, a Nigerian who is making waves in the international business arena, whose voice can no longer be ignored.   He believes that Africa should take its destiny of economic emancipation in its own hand. As it was in Europe in the 16th century when some group of business men in search of profit developed Europe and America, this eminent Nigerian also believes that African businesses can change the face of Africa and transform it from a poor and needy continent to an industrialised one.

“The high priest and chief advocate of this noble idea also believes that the current trend, where in Africa, the primary advocates for investing with social impact – that is the creation of value, jobs, and wealth, are philanthropic agencies and NGOs can be replaced by African businesses taking the lead in development. He has set up institutions to instil entrepreneurial values in African youths to make them stand out as employers of labour instead of ending up in paid white collar jobs. He believes that for Africa to successfully achieve optimistic growth targets, particularly in the consumer sector, wealth must be created on a far larger scale, with broader participation than exists today. Thus value and wealth creation can no longer be a niche business and investment practice: they should drive all private sector development in Africa. The Africapitalism concept which asserts value creation through entrepreneurship is Africa’s unique future. Like capitalism itself, the Tony Elumelu is urging  African businesses to view their operations from the perspective of creating economic value in a way that also creates value for society by addressing needs and challenges. Tony O. Elumelu is the voice crying in the African business wilderness for Africans to look inwards and imbibe the spirit of knowledge economy to develop Africa.

“Elumelu was born on 22 March 1963. He is a Nigerian economist, banker, investor, and philanthropist. Elumelu as of today is the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, a pan-African proprietary investment company with interests in strategic sectors of Africa’s economy. He is the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, an Africa-based and African-funded not-for-profit organisation (NPO) that is dedicated to the promotion and celebration of excellence in business leadership and entrepreneurship across Africa. Elumelu holds the Nigerian national honour, the Commander of the Order of Nigeria, CON. New African magazine listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in Africa. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Ambrose Alli University and a Master of Science degree, also in Economics, from the University of Lagos. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Programme. In his early career, Elumelu made a name for himself when he acquired and turned Standard Trust Bank into a top-five player in Nigeria. In 2005, his corporate reputation as an African Business Leader was sealed when he led the largest merger in the banking sector in Sub-Saharan Africa to acquire United Bank for Africa, UBA. In five years he transformed it from a single-country bank, to a pan-African institution with over 7 million customers in 19 African countries.

“Following his retirement from UBA in 2010, Elumelu founded Heirs Holdings, which invests in the financial services, energy, real estate and hospitality, agribusiness, and healthcare sectors; all of which help to create economic prosperity and social wealth across the continent. In the same year, he established the Tony Elumelu Foundation, an African-based and African-funded, philanthropic organisation dedicated to the promotion of excellence in business leadership and entrepreneurship, to enhance the competitiveness of the private sector across Africa. In 2011, Heirs Holdings acquired a controlling interest in the Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc , Transcorp, a publicly quoted conglomerate that has business interests in the agribusiness, energy, and hospitality sectors. Elumelu was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Corporation.

World Economic Forum’s member. He serves as an Adviser to the USAID’s Private Capital Group for Africa, PCGA, Partners Forum. He sits on the Nigerian President’s Agricultural Transformation Implementation Council, ATIC. He is also vice-chairman and a key driver in the formation of the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria, NCCN, and serves as Co-Chair of the Aspen Institute Dialogue Series on Global Food Security. He additionally chairs the Ministerial Committee to establish world-class hospitals and diagnostic centres across Nigeria, at the invitation of the Federal Government.

“He was a member of the World Economic Forum’s Regional Agenda Council on Africa.   His presence on the Bretton Woods Committee, which brings together senior leaders in the global banking industry, is recognition of his work on African development.   He is a Fellow of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative, NLI. He insists that Africapitalism is not capitalism with an African twist; it is a rallying cry for empowering the private sector to drive Africa’s economic and social growth. Elumelu subscribes to Michael Porter’s concept of Creating Shared Value (CSV). He studied under Professor Porter at Harvard Business School and Professor Porter is the Founding Patron of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Recognition In 2013, Mr. Elumelu received the Leadership Award in Business and Philanthropy from the Africa-America Institute, AAI, Awards.   He was also named African Business Icon at the 2013 African Business Awards”. 

A toast for this great Africa achiever. Happy birthday.