Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Monday promised to immortalise the late founder of Access Bank PLC, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who was born at Island Maternity Hospital in the state.
He made the pledge on Monday at an event to celebrate the late Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Corporation.
The event was tagged: “Celebrating Herbert Wigwe – A Professional Legacy.”
The event was divided into six segments: Young Hebert, the banker, the entrepreneur, the CEO, the builder and the ambassador.
Governor Sanwo-Olu narrated his last conversation with Wigwe on 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, 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, Egypt to pursue visions of Lagos.
He said Wigwe had a special history of Isale Eko, and Lagos would immortalise him, having been born at 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 State, while speaking of his encounters with Wigwe, 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.
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He said Wigwe believed in the country Nigeria, he was patriotic, adding that he met him about 30 years ago and thanked him for believing in him and being supportive of his programmes and projects.
He said the projects included Gateway International Airport and Epe/Ijebu-Ode Road among others.
He described Wigwe as a bridge builder, selfless, bold and courageous.
He said it still felt like a bad dream that Wigwe was gone, saying he was happy he honoured the invitation to see his new home.
He hinted that Wigwe had a street named after him in Beirut, saying: “He lived more than a life in 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.
Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, appreciated Wigwe’s hard work, broad knowledge base and role in shaping banking reforms further.
Cardoso said that Wigwe’s commitment to reform and his genuine concern for the well-being of Nigerians garnered significant recognition.
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 the banking sector and the economy.
In his view, former CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi, emphasised the immense value of Wigwe’s contributions and the challenges that could arise in finding a suitable replacement.
Sanusi recognised Wigwe’s influence and the long-lasting imprint of his work, saying that further solidified the remarkable nature of his contributions.
Ibrahim Dankwambo, former representative of Gombe North Senatorial District and ex-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 Wigwe 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 sojourn 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, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said Wigwe lived an incredible life.
At some point during his tribute, Dangote had to pull out his handkerchief as he began to cry.
He said: “To immortalise my beloved friend, my brother, and my mentee, I have decided to designate one of the major roads leading to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex after him.
“Out of the 120 kilometers of road, the largest stretch will now bear the name: ‘Herbert Wigwe.’”
Tributes of 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 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 Aig-Imoukhuede delivered the closing speech.
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