Aliko Dangote, African richest man, has joined the list of industry captains, who on Monday, March 4, 2024, paid their final respects to Herbert Wigwe, the late Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Access Bank.
It would be recalled that Wigwe, along with his wife, son, and former chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Abimbola Ogunbanjo, on Friday, February 9, 2024, passed away following a helicopter crash in California, United States (US).
The crash was said to have led to the death of all six passengers on board.
However, on Monday evening, friends, families, business colleagues, political leaders, and associates, gathered at Eko Hotel in Lagos, for their final respects for the late Access Bank chief.
In his emotional speech, Dangote described Wigwe as one of his mentees, saying the latter played a significant role in ensuring the successful completion of his 650,000 barrels per day refinery project.
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According to the Dangote Group President, Wigwe was always there to show him support, encourage him, and help him combat challenges that threatened the progress of the refinery project.
Dangote went on to say he would name the biggest road at the refinery after the late Wigwe.
“To immortalize my beloved friend, my brother, and my mentee, I have actually decided to name a major refinery and petrochemical road, out of the 120 kilometers, the biggest road will now be named ‘Herbert Wigwe,” Dangote tearfully stated.
Others…
For Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Wigwe embodied the true spirit of the state.
While noting that the Nigeria’s commercial hub won’t forget Wigwe, Sanwo-Olu stated that he was a “completely detribalised” person.
There were also tributes from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Yemi Cardoso and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, who both recalled the late Access Holding group CEO’s contributions to the nation’s economy.
“He was so full of ideas and creative in his thinking,” Edun said about Wigwe with Cardoso describing the death as a “profound loss”.
That was not all! The President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina also hailed Wigwe’s ingenuity, saying “everything he touched turned into gold”.
10 things to know about Herbert Wigwe
- Herbert Wigwe died at the age of 58. He was born on August 15, 1966.
- He obtained a degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.
- He also holds a master’s degree in banking and finance from the University College of North Wales (now Bangor) and a master’s degree in financial economics from the University of London.
- Wigwe started his career at Coopers & Lybrand, Lagos, as a management consultant, before becoming an accountant.
- After his time at Capital Bank, he joined Guaranty Trust Bank where he spent over ten years working in the corporate and banking industry, eventually becoming the managing director in charge of corporate banking.
- Wigwe also served as the chairman of Access Bank Ghana Limited, Access Investment & Securities Limited, Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS). He was the Chairman of Access Bank (UK) Limited until his death.
- In 2016, in recognition of his “exemplary service to the society and his contribution to youth development”, the Children’s Organization (BB) appointed Herbert Wigwe as the State Councilor of Lagos State.
- Wigwe was named Banker of the Year 2016, separately, by The Sun and Vanguard newspapers. 9. In 2016, Wigwe founded the HOW Foundation, a non-profit organization.
- In October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari awarded him the title of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
- The deceased was behind the Wigwe University located at Isiokpo, Rivers State. The university is expected to kick off in September 2024.
