The environment at the Eko Hotel on March 4th was that of gloom and sadness as captains of industries, corporate chieftains, brand owners, friends and families paid tributes in honour of the late Group CEO of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe.
The funeral rites for the late Group CEO of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe began last Monday with a ceremony tagged Herbert Wigwe: Celebrating Professional Excellence in Lagos.
Some of the dignitaries at the event were the chairman of Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; the Group CEO of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Segun Agbaje; Minister of Finance, Wale Edu; President of African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu.
The Managing Director of Access Bank in Ghana, Dolapo Ogundimo, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola; the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Olayemi Cardoso and Billionaire Businessman, Aliko Dangote.
In his tribute, the chairman of Coronation Capital, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, described Herbert Wigwe as a brilliant banker who helped to transform the banking industry in Nigeria.
Giving his tribute to Wigwe, Segun Agbaje, said Wigwe has packed into 57 years what most exceptional people will not pack in two lifetimes.
He said, “Herbert was my colleague, friend, brother, and competitor, only Herbert could have been all those things at once.”
In his tribute, business tycoon, Aliko Dangote, highlighted Wigwe’s dedication and expertise. He announced that the 120km road leading to his refinery in Lagos will be named after the late GCEO of Access Holdings in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the project.
He said, “To immortalise my beloved friend, my brother, and mentee, I’ve decided to name our major refinery and petrochemical road out of the 120km road, the biggest road will now be named Herbert Wigwe,” Dangote said.
The businessman described him as a dependable mentee who was willing to go the extra mile to support him, his business, and his family.
“I am proud to name it after him, my devoted friend, mentee, and supporter. I will forever cherish the warmth of his friendship”, Dangote said.
Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, in his tribute, described the late Herbert as a pillar of support who was full of knowledge, ideas and creative thinking.
The President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Ken Opara, expressed deep condolences on the passing of the late Wigwe.
Opara shared his heartfelt reflections on the life and contributions of the departed industry stalwart.
He said, “He was very courageous and a top-notch banker. He worked tirelessly. He contributed immensely to the development of banking in Nigeria.”
AfDB President, Adesina Akinwunmi, in his tribute, said, ‘’Herbert Wigwe brought pride to Nigeria and Africa.
“He was relentless, determined, bold, visionary, inspiring, with exceptional drive for excellence. Everything he touched became gold
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, lauded his achievement in the banking sector.
The governor also recalled how Wigwe was instrumental with a few others to mitigate some of the risks that came with Covid 19.
Recall that on February 9, Wigwe, his wife, Doreen; son Chizi; and a former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, died in a helicopter crash that occurred near a border town between California and Nevada in the United States.