Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, don reveal say e make one unsolicited $1 million investment inside Afrinvest West Africa after the 2008 global financial crisis. E no sign documentation, no agreement, no terms. For one post wey e put for im Facebook page, Elumelu talk say e just ask for the company account number, wire the money, and tell dem make dem repay when things turn around.
Elumelu talk say the decision come from im belief in Dr Ike Chioke, Group Managing Director of Afrinvest West Africa, and im partners. Im confidence dey on Dr Ike Chioke im leadership, resilience, and ability to carry the financial services firm pass difficult times.
Recently, Afrinvest West Africa repay the investment with interest. Dr Ike Chioke come lead the company senior leadership team on courtesy visit to Elumelu to thank am. Elumelu say the greatest return no be the financial gain, but to see say Dr Ike Chioke justify the trust wey e place on am and repay that trust with integrity.
E also praise how Afrinvest West Africa grow since the investment. According to am, the company don turn into thriving financial services institution with more than 200 employees and six subsidiaries, and e dey create jobs, opportunities, and lasting value.
Elumelu explain say e share the story to encourage successful Africans to support people and businesses wey get potential, especially when uncertainty dey and access to capital and confidence fit make difference. E reflect on wetin e call democratising luck, say for im own journey, e benefit from people wey believe in am, take chance on am, and open doors of opportunity. E add say successful people get responsibility to do the same for others.
E stress say to repay trust dey as important as to repay capital. Elumelu warn say if people wey invest in you disappoint dem, e fit make dem regret their decision and discourage dem from supporting other entrepreneurs for future. E talk say the act of repaying trust, no be capital alone, dey inspiring and encouraging.
Elumelu hope say the story go encourage other endowed Africans to support people and businesses with potential, so that collectively Africa go become continent of shared prosperity, no be oasis of wealth for privileged few. E talk say sometimes all e takes na one person willing to believe in you, particularly when odds seem stacked against you, because one act of trust, encouragement, or support fit change the direction of a business, career, or even life. E congratulate Dr Ike Chioke and the Afrinvest West Africa team.
