Tony Elumelu, the businessman, clarified that his position as chairman of Transcorp and UBA was not due to his affluent upbringing.
In a recent Sunday Facebook post, he emphasized that his journey to becoming a leading entrepreneur in the country was forged through discipline, hard work, and personal sacrifices, rather than relying on a privileged background.
Sharing his life experiences, the chairman of Heirs Holdings wrote, “I didn’t become the Chairman of UBA Group and Transcorp Group because I had wealthy parents or attended the best schools, or because I was the most intelligent in my state or country. Your circumstances today must not define your future.”
He further expounded on the pivotal role of hard work, discipline, and sacrifice in achieving success.
Elumelu stressed, “Embrace hard work, discipline, and sacrifice: I realized growing up that the way to get to the top is to go the extra mile. Have the discipline to say no to things that don’t serve you, and sacrifice now for future rewards. If you work hard and are disciplined, you will get what you desire in life.”
The billionaire offered advice on maintaining one’s authenticity in the face of external influences.
“Be yourself – There are so many distractions and influences in the world we live in. Over time, people start to doubt their identity and act in a manner that is alien to them. Don’t go against your values because you want to be perceived as ‘sociable’. Anyone who doesn’t accept you the way you are should leave,” he said.
Elumelu also turned his attention to the challenges posed by social media, cautioning young individuals against being swayed by the often deceptive images presented online.
“Be careful about social media –It not everything you see on social media that is real. Do not be drawn in by its influence – it can be misleading at times. That is why discipline is extremely important in your life journey,” he said.
