Business mogul and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu, has joined countless Nigerians in mourning the victims of the tragic Afriland Towers fire incident, which has left the nation in shock and sorrow. The devastating fire claimed multiple lives, including individuals within the UBA Group community, where Elumelu serves as Chairman.
In an emotional message, Elumelu described the past few hours as “tough” and deeply painful for him personally, as well as for the wider UBA community. He expressed that the deceased were not just professional colleagues but also family and friends, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking. He emphasized that their absence has created a void that will be felt forever within the organization and beyond.
Elumelu admitted that the bank’s initial statement following the incident was “released in haste” and did not adequately reflect the true depth of the grief and the magnitude of the loss. He apologized for the misstep, clarifying that the official communication was not a true representation of the sorrow felt by the group. He reiterated that UBA is deeply heartbroken and shares in the pain of every affected family.
In his words, he wrote: “The past few hours have been tough. We and others lost colleagues in the fire at Afriland Towers. As a community, we are grieving for all and doing what we can to support their families and loved ones. I also saw the initial statement from the comms team at @UBAGroup – which was put out in haste, without understanding the full gravity of what happened. This is regrettable. The statement does not reflect how deeply saddened we are. The loss of a life is painful, all the more so when it is family and friends. We are praying for all the lives lost. Our Group paused today to reflect and remember all who passed. They are irreplaceable and will remain in our memories always. May their souls rest in perfect peace and may God comfort their loved ones and us all🙏🏽.”
UBA Group Honors the Victims
Following Elumelu’s heartfelt message, the UBA Group announced that it had suspended certain activities to dedicate time to honor the lives lost. The organization stressed that the victims are irreplaceable and will always remain in their collective memory, even as they continue to offer support to the bereaved families during this difficult period.
Afriland Towers Fire Incident
The Afriland Towers fire in Lagos broke out earlier this week, engulfing the building in flames and leading to tragic loss of lives. The incident has since sparked nationwide grief, with tributes pouring in from prominent Nigerians, corporate bodies, and international communities. The true extent of the damage is still being assessed, but what remains clear is that the loss has left a lasting scar on the hearts of many.
Check out photos from the incident below…
