Philanthropist and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, has committed ₦25 billion to Lagos State’s ₦500 billion Uptake Guarantee Fund, calling it a bold move to drive economic inclusion and tackle unemployment.
Speaking at the launch, Elumelu praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision, stating, “This initiative addresses the root causes of joblessness. Agriculture holds the key to employing millions—if we invest strategically.” He added that his firm would collaborate closely with the state to maximize impact.
The event drew prominent leaders, including Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Muhammad Bago (Niger), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), and Usman Ododo (Kogi).
Also, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Ondo State Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami, Kwara Agriculture Commissioner, Dr. Afeez Alabi, diplomats, and farmer cooperative representatives.
Elumelu’s pledge underscored private sector confidence in the fund’s potential to reshape food systems and stimulate job growth across Nigeria.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
