The Officer of the Order of Leopold, Belgium’s oldest and most prestigious award bestowed on billionaire businessman, Tony Elumelu is tearing Twitter apart.
Elumelu, 57, took to the social media platform Monday morning to announce the award, saying it was conferred Sunday night.
He expressed gratitude to the Belgian King, Philippe and the Embassy of Belgium in Nigeria for the honour.
Revealing why the award was conferred, the Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation wrote, “I am humbled by this recognition of the work @TonyElumeluFDN in catalysing entrepreneurs across Africa and will continue to drive the economic empowerment of our brilliant young #Africanentrepreneurs to propel development in Africa.”
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Reacting to the announcement, many Nigerians tagged it “racist”, while drawing attention to the alleged atrocities committed by the Kingdom of Belgium in Africa.
The Order of Leopold, one of the three current Belgian national honorary orders of knighthood, was created on July 11, 1832, in honour of King Leopold 1, who lived from December 16, 1790, to December 10, 1865.
After his demise, his son, Leopold II took over as King and ruled from 1865 to 1909.
Leopold II declared the Congo Free State, modern-day Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), his private property.
According to Wikipedia, Leopold’s administration of the Congo was characterised by atrocities, including torture and murder, resulting from notorious systematic brutality. In 1890, George Washington Williams coined the term “crimes against humanity” to describe the practices of Leopold II of Belgium’s administration of the Congo Free State.
Many Nigerians who took to Twitter berated Elumelu for associating with an award with a family history linked to economic suppression and brutality in Africa, counter ideals to the ones being propagated by the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Read reactions monitored on Twitter:
Africans we clearly don’t know or read our history and we are so desperate for validation from white people that is why they will present to you a Leopold award and you will smile and collect it. 🤮
— Henoch-Schonlein (@nayomipiper) November 16, 2020
I understand why this is attracting negative reactions, but this national award was created in honour of King Leopold I. His son, Leopold II committed atrocities in Congo, giving birth to the term "crimes against humanity." https://t.co/bWXYZtDbHm
— Abubakar Idris (@IAtalkspace) November 16, 2020
Tony Elumelu collected an "Order of Leopold" award and the Twitter bobbleheads are arguing that it's named after Leopold I, not Leopold II.
I guess I can name an award after Alois Hitler and an Israeli would accept it. After all it's not Adolf…
People wey no get sense.
— David Hundeyin (@DavidHundeyin) November 16, 2020
Knowing the atrocities committed by King Leopold in Congo, I don't know if I am the only person that feels 'cringy' about this award. https://t.co/mtxjWNRIFj
— Somebody's son (@Rcadetolu) November 16, 2020
You will see Hitler, osama Bi laden in history Hall of shame but you will never see king leopold II of Belgium. Do you know why ? It’s because Osama and hitler victims are mostly whites but king leopold II of Belgium victims are Africans/blacks so they don’t care about us
— Babatunde 🧸 (@TundeKODAK) November 16, 2020
Officer in the Order of Leopold?! As in King Leopold II, the tyrant coloniser and mass murderer of the Congolese people?
Quelle ironie!!
*****
Congratulations Mr. Elumelu! https://t.co/JpNlBChDnp
— Mireille🌺 (@M_Musaniwabo) November 16, 2020
He should reject it, king Leopold killed over 15 million Africans in Congo. Nothing glorifying about such useless honor. Based on historical fact, you should be ashamed of this tweet. https://t.co/xEuO08cgua
— MinM (@maximusinmotion) November 16, 2020