*Dangote, Edun, Cardoso, Sanwo-Olu, Adesina, Aig-Imoukhuede, Others Pay Glowing Tribute

*Dangote Renames Lagos Oil Refinery Road After Him

NIGERIA’S business community, particularly the corporate world and some politicians, including state governors, gathered together at Eko Hotels and Suites on Victoria Island to celebrate the life and times of the late group chief executive officer of Access Corporation Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, for whom they all had kind words and fun memories.

The emotion-laden ‘Night of Tributes’ attracted dignitaries from the public and private sectors, including Aliko Dangote; Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun states; Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso; bank chief executives and captains of industry.

Other dignitaries at the event were President African Development Bank (AfDB), Adesina Akinwunmi; Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia; Chairman of Coronation Capital, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; CEO, GTHoldings Plc, Segun Agbaje; CEO of First Bank Nigeria Plc, Adesola Adedutan; and the president, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Ken Okpara.

Wigwe, 57, died in a helicopter crash in United States (US) on February 9, this year, alongside his wife, Chizoba; son, Chizi; and a former president of Nigeria Exchange, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.

In his tribute, Dangote described Herbert as a loyal friend and a pillar of support for him and his family. Fighting back tears, Dangote narrated how Herbert encouraged him in his business pursuits, saying he was a visionary role model with courage second to none.

“I am proud to name him my devoted friend, mentee and supporter. I will forever cherish the warmth of his friendship,” Dangote said.

The billionaire businessman, shortly after renamed the road leading to the Dangote Oil Refinery in Lagos State after Herbert Wigwe, saying: “The biggest road is now named Herbert Wigwe.”

   Adesina said:  “Herbert Wigwe brought pride to Nigeria and to Africa. He was relentless, determined, bold, visionary, inspiring, with exceptional drive for excellence. Everything he touched became gold.

“Herbert is a bankers banker and investors asset holder. His drive for major achievements sparks courage. Herbert was bankable and Access Bank was bankable.”

Herbert’s friend, business associate and predecessor, Aig-Imoukhuede, described him as a brilliant banker who helped to transform the banking industry in Nigeria, while Edun said he was a pillar of support who was full of knowledge, ideas and creative thinking.

“He gave me his time and thinking. He had solutions, never at a loss,” said added.

On his part, Sanwo-Olu, who promised to immortalise Herbert, assured that Lagos would not forget him.

At the event, which  was divided into six segments- Young Hebert, the banker, the entrepreneur, the CEO, the builder and the ambassador, the governor narrated his last conversation with the deceased on Thursday, February 8, where lofty ideas were discussed, adding: “This was the last conversation that I will keep on my phone for a long time.”

Sanwo-Olu said Herbert was a man who always had good stories and supported different projects of his administration and was driving him to take up new challenges.

“Herbert was one of the very first people that supported my ambition generously,” Sanwo-Olu said, noting it was unbelievable how a man could give so much, including his words of encouragement.

“Herbert led from the front, encouraged and stood with the state government. I have indeed lost a big friend,” the governor said, adding that if places of birth mattered, Herbert should be of Isale Eko origin: “Herbert has transcended beyond borders.

“Lagos will not forget Herbert Wigwe. We will support the family.”

   Abiodun stated that the deceased believed in Nigeria. “Herbert believed in Nigeria. He did everything to support Nigeria. He was intelligent, bold and lived two lifetimes in one,” he said.

   Cardoso described  him as a truly exceptional individual who played a pivotal role in transforming Access Bank into one of Nigeria’s foremost financial institutions, reminiscing: “I spoke with Herbert two weeks before he died,”

His contemporary while at GT Bank, Agbaje, said he also spoke with him two weeks before his demise, describing him as a fierce competitor.

“It is indeed a very difficult for me. Herbert was my colleague, friend, competitor and brother. Only Herbert could have been all those things to a human being. 

“We started as colleagues. I met Herbert in November 1991, we were both in the corporate bank. And then, as we all matured, Herbert became my real brother. 

“He would always make the phone call to get you out of the spot you were in. It is weird that my last conversation with him was two weeks before he died.

“He came to my house to talk about his obsession, which was his university.”

   Tributes from President Bola Tinubu; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; France President Emmanuel Macron and former US President Bill Clinton were read at the event.

Friends, associations, professional colleagues, Access Bank management from Nigeria, Ghana, and the United Kingdom (UK), as well as staff took turns to eulogise the patriotism, friendship, and mentorship qualities of Herbert.

Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking at Access Bank Plc, Iyabo Okunsanya, said the opening prayer at the event, while the Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, read the citation of Wigwe, while Aig-Imoukhuede, read the closing speech.