Access Holdings chairman promises to preserve Wigwe’s legacy

Aigboje Imoukhuede, chairman of Access Holdings Plc, and Herbert Wigwe’s long-time business partner, has reaffirmed his commitment to preserving Wigwe’s legacy.

He disclosed this on Sunday night during the memorial ceremony of Herbert, his wife, Doreen, and son, Chizi who lost their lives alongside Bimbo Ogunbanjo, former chairman of the Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX), in a helicopter crash in the Mojave Desert near the California-Nevada border in the United States on February 9, 2024.

“Herbert Wigwe was not just a friend, but a visionary leader. His passion for banking and economic development drove the transformation of Nigeria’s financial sector,” Imoukhuede said. He stressed that the best way to honor Wigwe would be to uphold the values he stood for—driving the growth of Nigerian banks while fostering economic development and social impact.

Read also: Building legacies: Herbert Wigwe’s impact on African banking

One of the high points of the evening was Aig-Imoukhuede’s emotional tributes in which he said that his partnership and friendship with Wigwe endured for so long due to the trust they had in each other. ‘’I was never, for once, afraid that Herbert was in the room, closing deals, when I was not there; and vice versa’’, he said. He announced that despite malicious publications in the social media, he would never abandon Herbert Wigwe’s children. ‘’Tochi; Hannah; David; Okachi, you are mine; just as my children were your dad’s children when he was here with us’’, Aig-Imoukhuede said, to the applause of the audience, some of whom were already tearing up. ‘’They’re irreplaceable’’, he said, referring to the departed. ‘’Herbert is irreplaceable as a friend; he is irreplaceable as a partner’’.

Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, described Herbert Wigwe as “a man of purpose and action.” She went on to say, “He was a man of accomplishment whose legacy and impact cannot be forgotten.”

Herbert Wigwe’s commitment to mentorship and philanthropy was a recurring theme throughout the tributes. Many speakers highlighted his role in shaping the next generation of leaders, both within and outside the banking industry. His dedication to education, youth empowerment, and the arts was recognized as a defining aspect of his legacy.

His passing left a void, but those who gathered in his honour reaffirmed their commitment to carrying on his work. As the event concluded, there was a sense of collective responsibility to ensure that Herbert Wigwe’s contributions to business, education, and society continue to inspire future generations. His impact will not be forgotten, and his vision will remain a guiding light for many in Nigeria and beyond.

Speaking at the event which was held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Governor Sanwo-Olu said that Wigwe was a supporter of his administration’s development programmes since inception in 2019.

Read also: From acquiring banks to establishing University, Herbert Wigwe’s legacy endures

He said the state had felt the absence of the late group managing director of Access Holdings, very strongly, since his passing in the last one year.

He said some projects would have been delivered faster if Wigwe, the co-founder of Access Holdings, was alive, noting that “across the states, there are projects with Herbert Wigwe’s footprint.”

Earlier, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Wale Edun, said Wigwe’s impact was not confined to the “boardroom and balance sheet.”