Nobody Does It Like Elumelu… How King of Soft Life

Nobody Does It Like Elumelu… How King of Soft Life

●Things No Billionaire Could Do Like Tony Elumelu

●A Glimpse into UBA Chairman’s World of Affluence

●Why His All-Star Yuletide Parties Are Of A Different Class

There’s money, and then there’s class. The two are often separated. But in Tony Elumelu, they merge. The Chairman, United Bank of Africa is both a man of money and panache. He is also a man of great repute.

So intimidating and expansive is his girth that he invokes a joke in private circuits that if ever, he is considered in a pairing of his ilk with their spirit animals, Elumelu would be paired with a lion.

And the reason is not far-fetched: in truth, Elumelu embodies the grace and feral elan of the Panthera Leo. Like the fabled King of the Jungle, he quickens the pulse of females and commands the submission of men. When the lion roars, the jungle stirs.

When Tony Elumelu speaks, high society listens. Every gesture of the billionaire bank chief commands the attention and wild genuflection of Nigeria’s rich upper crust. Such is the strength and influence of an alpha.

Nobody commands the reins of banking and industry, like Tony Elumelu. Nobody throws a party like he does too.

In an unparalleled display of affluence, character and dashing panache, the Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu (CFR), threw one of the grandest parties of the outgoing year, 2023. His recent white-themed party is arguably one of the most sensational shindigs to be hosted this side of the planet.

The party was held on a day when the cold made the skyline snap into focus like vistas of the future glimpsed through new lenses, the Elumelu residence seemed more ethereal than real as the guests sauntered into the thermo-induced chill of his home.

The grand and expansive homestead, exuded a cosiness that evoked an urgency in the guests to loosen up, relax and have fun.

Between the roll call and the grandeur, Elumelu once again outdid himself and rewrote the rules of celebrity soirees and social connections, as his party attracted the creme of Nigeria’s high society.

It was undoubtedly a night of glitz and glamour as the business mogul hosted one of the biggest parties of 2023 in Lagos, Nigeria. The Tony Elumelu All-White party was graced by the movers and shakers of the entertainment, sport, business and political space.

In actuality, the guests would find that Elumelu’s home is unlike the homes of several billionaires of his class, who are not sophisticated despite their wealth but are desperate to look rich. In the latter’s abodes, a familiar reveal subsists in their frantic nature to try too hard and consequently, their homes end up looking similar: ornamented with gaudy strips of damasks, ebony, plants, carpets, and bronzes, everything golden, dark and gleaming—all the effects their class of people produce to look like people of Tony Elumelu’s class.

Yet to recover from how exceptionally beautiful, grand and comfy his home looks, the guests eventually settled into partying and a night of indescribable fun.

There is no gainsaying everyone that mattered was at Tony Elumelu’s celebrity-packed party. Like, name a celeb, chances are they were in attendance, wearing an all-white fit.

Eleumelu’s white-themed party was yet another way for him to break the internet as he does every year through his elaborate yuletide celebrations.

It was an exciting event with hundreds of guests in attendance, even though it was strictly by invitation. The party, attended by an array of stars and high-profile individuals, was a grand affair that defined the festive Christmas spirit. The guest list was a testament to the diverse and influential crowd that the billionaire magnate attracts. The attendees, who came from various professional backgrounds, included corporate titans, political figures, entertainment celebrities, media personalities, and sports stars.

In attendance were billionaire mogul and founder of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, singer Tiwa Savage, some high dignitaries in society and other celebrities. The presence of veteran actress, Genevieve Nnaji, Big Brother Naija winner Mercy Eke, and Nigeria’s US-based supermodel Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi also added a touch of glamour to the event.

The event’s highlight was when Burna Boy and Davido took to the stage to perform at the event. The Grammy-nominated singers took to the stage at different times and performed their hit songs to the enjoyment of the guests.

Other celebrity artistes at the event include Wizkid, Asake, and Kizz Daniel. The night’s entertainment lineup was certainly a reflection of Nigeria’s rich musical talent. The crowd was treated to memorable performances from Nigerian music heavyweights. The stage also welcomed other celebrated artists including Kizz Daniel, Spyro, and Ayra Starr.

The performances were so enthralling that Elumelu himself posted a video of Davido and Burna Boy on stage to his Instagram story the following day.

The party brokered major high society and social media moments, with guests sharing photos and videos on Instagram and Twitter, with their posts trending throughout the night.

The guests were treated to the finest and most expensive liquors and delicacies money could buy. Champagne arrived in flûtes on trays, and the guests emptied them with gladness in their hearts, even as they rocked the dance floor.

As Elumelu ends this year 2023, in grand style, it would be recalled that he ended 2022 on a similar note. To end the year 2022, Elumelu hosted the crème de la crème of society at a Havana-themed fiesta party on Saturday, December 24, 2022.

The party which was held in TOE’s beautiful Mansion located in Ikoyi, Lagos, had in attendance Chief Executive Officers, Diplomats, heads of industry, Business Moguls as well as top celebrities and socialites from Nigeria Africa and across the world

Performing at the grand event was the legendary crooner, Kizz Daniel a.k.a Mr Buga, Mr Money with the vibes, Asake and there was also a surprise performance from Wizkid, which had the fans bursting with excitement. M I Abaga was the host of the night’s activities.

Tony Elumelu, who also chairs Transcorp Plc and Heirs Holdings, took time off to show off his new dance moves at the glamorous event, while his wife Dr Awele and his entire family joined him on the dance floor at intervals.

The founder and chairman of UBA Plc was rated the 31st richest man in Africa with a net worth of $700 million by Forbes Magazine in 2015.

A banking wunderkind, he stepped down as the CEO of UBA in 2010 at the age of 47. On his watch, the bank established branches in over 20 African countries and New York, London and Paris. The bank currently has assets estimated at more than $ 19 billion. Elumelu also serves as the chairman of HEIRS Holdings, an investment company committed to improving lives and transforming Africa through long-term investments and which maintains a portfolio of investments across several sectors.

His recent white-themed party generated a buzz on Instagram where his almost one million followers fawned over the photos and videos of the event. The recent event becomes another beautiful addition to the rich repertoire of colourful moments captured in the social albums of his jet-set lifestyle, imagery of his opulent homes and expensive family vacations; the sharp suits, trendy and sometimes gaudy ensembles, and his globetrotting in private jets like a Rock Star.

Little wonder he acquired a new reputation as the King of Soft Life (pop-culture lingo for one who lives a flamboyant life), which was referenced by rapper, M.I Abaga, in his new single, ‘Soft Life Tony.’

Since he got married to Awele, a medical doctor in 1993, their love has blossomed enviably. Blessed with a lifetime of love and seven children together, they subsist as a power couple amid Nigeria’s rich upper class.