So much to talk about at Wigwe's Night of Tributes...
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos on Monday promised to immortalise the Memory of the late Founder of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe.
Sanwo-Olu made the pledge on Monday night at an Event to celebrate the late Group Chief Executive, Access Corporation, tagged, “Celebrating Herbert Wigwe – A Professional Legacy”.
The Event was divided into six Segments of Young Hebert, the Banker, the Entrepreneur, the CEO, the Builder and the Ambassador.
The Governor narrated his last conversation with Wigwe on Thursday, February 8, where lofty Ideas were discussed.
“This was the last conversation that I will keep on my Phone for a long time,” he said.
He said that Wigwe was a Man who always had good stories and supported several Projects of his Administration and driving him to take up new challenges.
“Herbert was one of the very first People that supported my ambition generously,” he said.
He said it was unbelievable how a Man could give so much, including his words of encouragement.
Sanwo-Olu revealed how Wigwe collaborated with other Partners to cushion the effects of COVID-19 during the dreaded Global Pandemic.
“Herbert led from the front, encouraged and stood with the State Government. I have indeed lost a big friend,” he said.
He said Wigwe and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, the former Group Managing Director of Access Bank, took a trip with him to Cairo to pursue Visions of Lagos.
He said Wigwe had a Special History of Isale Eko, and Lagos would immortalise him, haven been born in Island Maternity Hospital.
He said if places of birth mattered, Wigwe should be of Isale Eko Origin, noting, “Herbert has transcended beyond Borders.
“Lagos will not forget Herbert Wigwe. We will support the Family,” he said.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun while speaking of his encounters said, “It is a tough Season for all of us.”
Abiodun said words were not enough to describe how larger than life Wigwe was as he achieved so much within a short Lifetime.
“Herbert was loyal to his Friends, way ahead of his time ever forward looking,” he said.
He said Wigwe believed in the Country Nigeria, he was patriotic, adding that he met him about 30 years ago and thanked Wigwe for believing in him and supportive of his Programmes and Projects.
He said the Projects included Gateway International Airport and the Epe/Ijebu-Ode Road Projects, among others.
He described Wigwe as a bridge builder, selfless, bold and courageous.
He said it still felt like a bad dream that Herbert was gone, saying he was happy he honoured the Invitation to see Wigwe’s new Home.
He hinted that Wigwe had a Street named after him in Beirut, saying, “he lived more than a Life on one Lifetime”.
The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, narrated Wigwe’s contributions to Sports and various Sectors, including supporting his Personal and Family Visions.
“Herbert gave me his time and thinking, what I valued most; the Man is never short of Ideas,” he said.
The CBN Governor said he and the Deceased recently discussed the way out of the Country’s Economic impasse, adding that the Banker’s demise had left a vacuum in that Sector and the Economy.
Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, former Senator for Gombe North and former of Governor of Gombe State, said, “from Him we come, to Him we shall return” while reeling out good times with Wigwe Coopers Library.
Dankwambo said Herbert was handed over to him as a Brother by his Father.
Dankwambo, a former Accountant-General of the Federation, shared hilarious moments, describing Wigwe as a detribalised Nigerian.
“Herbert and I acquired this Bank (Access Bank) and made it what it is today,” he said.
Dignitaries relished adventurous and courageous stories from Wigwe’s early Childhood and later his successful sourjourn and success stories from GTB and later the acquisition of Access Bank.
Femi Otedola, in an emotion-laden voice, also expressed the qualities of Wigwe while Africa’s Richest Man, Aliko Dangote, said Wigwe lived an incredible Life.
Tributes of President Bola Tinubu, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, France President, Emmanuel Macron, and former US President, Bill Clinton’s were read at the Event.
Friends, Associations, Professional Colleagues, Access Bank Management from Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK as well as Staff took turns to eulogise the patriotism, friendship, and mentorship qualities of Wigwe.
Iyabo Okunsanya, Executive Director-in-charge of Corporate and Investment Banking at Access Bank Plc, said the opening prayer at the Event.
Also, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank, Roosevelt Ogbonna, read the Citation of Wigwe while Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, the former Group Managing Director of Access Bank delivered the Closing Speech.
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Shettima on Wigwe: He was a miracle who left before the Season of Bloom
Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday, in a poetic tribute described the late Group Chief Executive, Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, as ‘a miracle capturing his exploits, achievements and conquests’.
Shettima said this during the Night of Tribute for Wigwe, held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, where he conveyed the Condolences of the Presidency.
Shettima, in a poetic rendition, captured the qualities of the Deceased as a Banker, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist.
“Herbert left us in Winter, far away from Home. Herbert left us before the Season of Bloom.
“Spring was just to arrive at his last location, the United States, when the Lord called for him but Spring is not the symbol of Hebert’s Bloom, his Journey was defined by perculiar Seasons.
“He bloomed long before his Co-Travellers, so this Spring for us isn’t the Spring of Festive Flowers, it is the Season of Wreaths.
“This Spring for us isn’t the Season of Tears, it is a Celebration of Herbert’s Flight to a height that only a few of God’s Chosen Ones have attained.
“I feel privileged to be here today to share in the Memories of Hebert and the Pillars of his Hope that left with him.
“Only 15 days separated Herbert’s birth from mine.
He is a Friend, a Brother, a Contemporary, I feel honoured to partake in celebrating the divine miracle that was Herbert’s life,” Shettima said.
The Vice President praised the exploits of late Wigwe and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, the former Group Managing Director of Access Bank, for transformations brought into the Banking Industry.
He described Wigwe who was his former Colleague in the Banking Sector as a Visionary Leader.
“He was a sanctuary of inspiration for his Friends, a source of solace for his Family, a nourishing hope for his Community, a symbol of pride for Nigeria and a beacon of hope for Africa,” he said.
Shettima explained Wigwe’s excellence in all Areas where he had opportunity to utilise his talents to make transgenerational impacts of success stories.
He said that Wigwe conquered all that was supposed to be conquered, all captured within his impactful Lifetime of an extraordinary Service and Leadership.
He mourned Wigwe; his Wife, Chizoba; their son, Chizi; and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group, and their other Associates in the Helicopter crash.
“The Journey of our departed Brothers and sister may have ended in a distant land but their spirits linger in the hearts of everyone here and beyond.
“Today, we honour not just the Souls that boarded that helicopter but the indomitable Dreamers and Builders that soar to heights reserved for the chosen few,” he said.
He commended the establishment of Wigwe University, birthed to raise a Generation of bold Nigerians and Africans who will change the World.
“On behalf of my Principal, President Bola Tinubu, the Access Family, the Banking World, the Nigerian Nation, please accept our most heartfelt condolences, may his Soul rest in eternal peace, Amen. Thank you,” he said.
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