Monrovia, May 7 -- The President of the Republic of Gabon, His Excellency, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, has conferred the nation's prestigious national honors - the Commander in the National Order of Gabonese Merit - on the Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu.

The distinguished award recognizes Elumelu's enduring contribution to Africa's economic development, particularly his impact on youth entrepreneurship and infrastructure growth in Gabon and across the continent.

Speaking at the presidential palace while presenting the recognition in Libreville on Monday, Nguema, who was on Saturday sworn in as the newly elected President of the oil-rich country, pra...