The Chairman of Afriland Properties Plc, Tony Elumelu, has returned from New York, where he was attending the United Nations General Assembly, after a fire at Afriland Towers in Lagos claimed the lives of several staff members.

In a statement on Wednesday, Elumelu described the tragedy as a devastating loss for the Afriland family and expressed profound sorrow over the incident.

“I am shattered by yesterday’s devastating incident at Afriland Towers, 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.

“Yesterday was a stark reminder of what truly matters: our irreplaceable people, those who walk through our doors each day and share our mission,” he wrote in a message to staff.

Elumelu said he was en route to New York for the UN General Assembly when he received news of the tragedy, prompting him to cut his trip short and return to Lagos in honour of his late colleagues.

He urged staff and associates to stand in solidarity with those receiving medical care and pledged that the company would provide full support to the families of the deceased.

“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. In the coming days, we will convene colleagues in a memorial to honour the memories of the departed, as we provide support to their families.

“I also want to thank all those who supported in one way or the other, from emergency responders and first aid workers to members of the public who showed courage and compassion,” he explained.