Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, has cut short a trip to the United States and expressed sadness over the fire incident at Afriland Towers in Lagos in which six bank employees died.
Elumelu said he learnt of the incident on his way to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), but cut short his trip and returned to Lagos “as a mark of respect to our lost colleagues”.
Reacting to the accident on Wednesday, Elumelu said he was shattered by the tragedy, describing it as a reminder of the irreplaceable value of people who drive the company’s mission daily.
“No words can capture the magnitude of this loss — not for their families who loved them, not for the friends who valued them, and not for those of us who worked beside them,” he said.
Elumelu urged colleagues and staff to show solidarity by reaching out to those injured and receiving care, adding that the company would provide sustained support to the bereaved families.
“In the coming days, we will convene colleagues in a memorial to honour the memories of the departed, as we provide support to their families,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to emergency responders, first aid workers, and members of the public who displayed “courage and compassion” during the crisis.
“May this never happen again in our Group. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace,” he said.
