Heirs Holdings, a subsidiary of Tony Elumelu’s conglomerate, has confirmed the deaths of some staff members of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) in the fire that gutted the Afriland Tower on Lagos Island, Lagos, on Tuesday.
Panic gripped broad street on the Lagos Island on September 16, after a fire broke out at the facility
The six-storey building is one of Lagos Island’s busiest landmarks, housing a branch of the UBA and other businesses.
In viral videos online on social media, workers at the facility were seen jumping down several stories to escape the fire which had engulfed the building.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Heirs Holdings on behalf of its Chairman, Tony Elumelu, the businessman said he is “shattered” by the news of the demise of the employees.
The billionaire disclosed that he was on his way to New York, United States, for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) but had to return to Nigeria, as a mark of respect for the deceased staff.
He, however, did not reveal the number of casualties from the incident.
“I am shattered by yesterday’s devastating incident at Afriland Tower, that took the lives of our dear colleagues. 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,” the statement posted on Facebook read.
“Yesterday was a stark reminder of what truly matters: our irreplaceable people, those who walk through our doors each day and share our mission. I learnt of this on my way to the US, enroute to New York for UNGA. I have cut short my trip to return to Lagos as a mark of respect to our lost colleagues.
“As we navigate this grief, I urge you all to reach out to those who are receiving care…”
Elumelu also said staff observed a minute silent for the departed colleagues at 12pm today.
Other staff of the bank who were caught in the fire are said to be in critical conditions and receiving treatment at different health centres in Lagos.
The UBA Chairman prayed that such tragedy will no longer occur in the group and prayed for the souls of the departed.
