Man shares amount Tony Elemelu credited his account after his mother's burial

It was a serene Saturday afternoon. I had just sat down to have my first meal at Madam Big Ben restaurant. 

I had made my order and was salivating, waiting for my meal to arrive when his message came in: 

“Chukwudi, please call me.” It was from Nigeria’s 4th richest man, the man his mentees fondly call “Chairman,” Tony Elumelu. Kedu was his opening statement on the phone after I greeted him. We spoke Igbo for a while before transitioning to English.

One thing about Tony Elumelu that makes him extraordinary is his humility and how he makes his mentees and his people feel seen, important, and special. 

He remembers your name, makes you feel at ease, makes you feel that you matter, that you are important and a big deal even though he is our boss and our Oga Kpatakpa. 

That kind of heart and selflessness is what makes him extraordinary and special, as it is rare. "Did you l0se your mum?” he asked with e#pathy over the phone. 

“I must have missed it. So sorry.” Yes sir, I did,” I responded back. We had buri£d her two weeks ago. I sent you the burial IV during the whole Seplat news frenzy, so I understand, sir, that it was h£ctic for you.” 

“Oh, my brother! So sorry about your l0ss. How old was she, and what happened to her?”

Again, I was st#uck and touched by his sincerity and his genuine interest in understanding the circumstances surrounding my late mother’s pssing. 

He doesn’t owe me that, but that’s the kind of leader he is one who genuinely cares about the well-being of his people, his mentees, and the staff within his conglomerate. A leader who knows when to be firm and how to show compassion when life throws a curveball and unexpected challenges. 

At the end of the conversation, he asked for my account details with a promise to revert back. And he did in a big, profound way, which I did not see coming. 

I was in the middle of a transit when my phone beeped. I saw a 2 million naira alert from the man I fondly call Chairman, Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu (TOE). 

I said a silent prayer for him in my heart, that God will continue to bless him and prosper the work of his hands. Aside from his humility and the way he treats everyone with respect and kindness, 

I was reminded that wealth without postive impact is meaningless. Our world will be a better place when we positively impact the lives of others who can’t pay us back, who, because of our generosity, sleep better at night.And the lesson for me is to keep paying it forward. 

Thank you, sir, for the surprise, for the gift, and for your mentorship, which I don’t take for granted. My late mum, who was a big fan of you, would be proud that you honored her memory in a remarkable way"