My Five Minutes with Tony Elumelu During President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s State Visit to the UK

There are events… and then there are moments that feel like history in motion.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s State Visit to the United Kingdom was nothing short of electric. London shimmered with purpose. Corridors of power were buzzing, calendars overflowing, and every room filled with influence. Ministers, governors, captains of industry, policymakers, and cultural voices all converged in a dazzling display of Nigerian excellence on the global stage.

Tony Elumelu, Chairperson United Bank for Africa with Rose Graham Publisher , Roseonallsideshq.com

But among the flurry of engagements, one gathering stood out. The President’s meeting with Nigerians in the UK diaspora. It was the room to be in.

Security was tight, as expected, yet the atmosphere was warm, almost celebratory. Conversations flowed. Cameras flashed. History was being documented in real time.

Then, almost cinematically, the energy shifted.

He walked in.

Not the President this time… but a man whose presence could easily rival any global icon.

Enter Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa, one of the continent’s most formidable financial institutions.

Effortlessly suave. Dark shades perfectly perched. A stride that spoke of quiet power.

There was something unmistakably star quality about him. Think a touch of Hollywood, a whisper of boardroom brilliance, and an aura that simply commands attention.

Even before introductions, he was already recognised. People gravitated towards him instinctively.

Of course, I did too.
Because what is a moment like this without a signature Rose Graham selfie? 😉

He graciously obliged, and we have to thank the selfie revolution for that. Barack Obama made moments like this feel natural. But I couldn’t resist pushing it just a little further.

“Would you mind taking off your glasses?” I asked, smiling.

“My readers need to know it’s you.”

A brief pause. A hint of surprise. A knowing smile exchanged with his companion. And then, off came the shades.

Iconic.

We took another shot.

Perfect.
Effortless.
Memorable.

Our first exchange was brief. Just enough time to share pleasantries before the queue of admirers reclaimed him. But as fate, and fabulous timing, would have it, our paths crossed again.

And this time, we talked.

Not finance.
Not banking.
Not billion-dollar strategies.

But the man behind the empire.

I found myself curious.
How does someone like Tony Elumelu maintain that level of presence, discipline, and, dare I say, that impressively chiselled physique?

When I complimented him, I could have sworn I caught the faintest hint of a blush. Or maybe that was just the lighting playing tricks.

Either way, what stood out was his openness.

He spoke candidly about his fitness routine, his discipline, and the importance of showing up for your body the same way you show up for your ambitions.

“Even if it’s just 20 minutes a day,” he shared, “make the effort.”

Simple. Yet powerful.
Because in a world where we juggle careers, families, businesses, and endless responsibilities, self-care often becomes an afterthought. But as he so rightly reminded me, health truly is wealth.

And yes… before you ask, we did touch on money matters, just a little 😉

But that, my dear readers, is a story for another day.

Part 2 is coming? Say whatttt?

Stay with me.

XOXO,
Rose 💋