Headline

Good Night Great Banker, Herbert Wigwe, Family and Friend

Published

9 months ago

February 11, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The death on Friday, February 9, 2024, of the Group Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings Plc, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, has brought much more than tears to the eyes of a crowd of Nigerians. The reason is obvious; Wigwe is among a few Nigerians, who have used their wealth to affect the lives of the ordinary citizens as well as celebrities and high profile people.

It is more saddening that he died on the day the Access sponsored Lagos Marathon was underway in the city of Lagos.

Wigwe, in company of his son, Chizi, his wife, Doreen and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, a former chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, died after the helicopter they were traveling in, crashed between California and Nevada, in the United States of America. It was revealed that the fun loving family was traveling to Las Vegas to watch the Super Bowl billed for Sunday evening.

While the world ruminated over the plausibility or otherwise of the news of Wigwe’s death, his company, Access Holdings Plc, put all doubts to rest, confirming the death in the Eurocopter EC130 helicopter around 10pm on Friday in California; 7am on Saturday in Nigeria, near the Nevada border.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Access Holdings said Wigwe “brought his remarkable passion, energy, and experience” to transform the company.

“Dr. Wigwe died alongside his wife and son on Friday, February 9, 2024 in a helicopter accident in the United States of America,” Access Holdings said.

“The entire Access Family mourns the loss of Herbert, Doreen and Chizi. We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones. Dr. Wigwe was a key driving force and a larger-than-life personality who brought his remarkable passion, energy, and experience to the transformation of the Access franchise since joining the Bank in 2002.”

Abubakar Jimoh, chairman of Access Holdings, like majority of Nigerians, said Wigwe’s death was a major loss, adding that the Access family owed him a debt of gratitude.

“The Access Family has suffered a major loss with the passing of Dr. Wigwe who was a great friend and fine gentleman,” Jimoh said.

“He had a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and vast business experience which he brought to bear on the Access Family and for which we owe him a debt of gratitude.”

The statement was issued hours after Access Bank, a subsidiary of Access Holdings, said it lacked detailed information concerning the helicopter crash.

Access Bank had said it was actively collaborating with the US authorities for updates on the situation.

Meanwhile, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has said preliminary investigation into the crash pointed to rainy and wintry weather as possible causes.

The ill-fated Flight N130CZ, operated by Orbic Air LLC, took off from Palm Springs, California, at 8:45 p.m. but was last seen near Fort Irwin/Barstow, California, at 9:49 p.m., Friday before it was reported crashed at 10:12pm.

Wigwe, only a few weeks ago, supervised the burial of the Access Bank Group Head, Media and Corporate Affairs, Abdul Imoyo, who died in December.

THE MAN, HERBERT WIGWE

Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, who was born on August 15, 1966, in Lagos, hailed from Omueke Isiokpo in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State, Nigeria.

Wigwe earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1987.

In 1990, he received the British Council Scholarship to study at the University College of North Wales (now Bangor), earning a Master of Arts in Banking and Finance in 1991. He later earned a MSc in Financial Economics from the University of London in 1996. He was an alumnus of the Harvard Business School Executive Management Programme, and in 2018, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Wigwe originally started his career at Coopers & Lybrand, from where he later joined Guaranty Trust Bank, where he committed over a decade of his working life.

In 2002, Wigwe and his business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, bought Access Bank, marking the beginning of a transformative journey in the Nigerian banking sector. Between 2002 and 2017, the bank grew to become the 4th largest bank in Nigeria.

Between 2002 and 2014, he served as the company’s Deputy Managing director. Wigwe also served as the chairman of Access Bank Ghana Limited starting in 2013, Access Investment & Securities Limited, and Central Securities and Clearing System.

At the time of his death he was the chairman of Access Bank (UK) Limited. He was a board member of Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company and a member of the advisory Board for Friends Africa.

He was also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, a fellow of The Institute of Credit Administration, and an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

From January 2014 until his death, he was CEO and group managing director of Access Bank.

Wigwe was involved in the creation of a leadership series known as the Access Conference. The biennial event is Access Bank’s response to a global call for corporate involvement in resolving the major challenges facing humanity. Since its inauguration in 2013, the Access Conference has consistently engaged global leaders by provoking debates on issues of threats and opportunities to the world. In the 2013 edition, themed “Sustainable Leadership”, Wigwe spoke alongside George W. Bush, Nicolas Sarkozy and John Kufuor, reaffirming the importance of leadership to national and corporate successes.

At the 2015 edition, Wigwe hosted global leaders such as Steve Wozniak, N. R. Narayana Murthy, José María Figueres, Muhammad Yunus^[12]^[13] to discuss the theme “Leading in a Transformational World – The Imperative of Innovation”.

Wigwe philanthropic gesuures arw larger than life. He had partnered with Access Bank and UNICEF to offer support to vulnerable children, orphans, and internally displaced persons in the northern part of Nigeria. To raise awareness for this purpose, the bank organizes the annual high-profile Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament.

In 2016, Wigwe founded The HOW Foundation, a non-profit organization.

In February 2017, he was named co-chair of Nigerian Business Coalition against AIDS, a private sector initiative to help eradicate HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and support people living with the condition.

A few months before his death, he announced that Wigwe University would open in fall 2024.

Wigwe was named 2016 Banker of The Year by The Sun and Vanguard, two of Nigeria’s largest newspapers.

In recognition of “his exemplary role in the society and contributions to youth development”, the Boys’ Brigade inaugurated Herbert Wigwe as State Patron for Lagos State Council in 2016.

In October 2022, Commander of the Order of the Niger, a Nigerian national honour, was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Wigwe was not only a prominent figure in the financial industry but also a philanthropist with a deep commitment to community development. He founded Wigwe University, a world-class institution aimed at providing top-notch education and facilities to students. During an interactive session with community stakeholders at the University hall in Isiokpo, he pledged to build a world-standard hospital and ensure 24-hour electricity in Isiokpo Ancient Kingdom, showcasing his dedication to uplifting the lives of residents.

The promise of a hospital and continuous electricity not only demonstrated Wigwe’s commitment to the community, but also underscored his vision for sustainable development. This initiative would not only benefit the students and staff of Wigwe University, but also improve the quality of life for all residents of Isiokpo Ancient Kingdom.

The community stakeholders expressed their appreciation for Wigwe’s unwavering commitment to their welfare and pledged their support for the success of Wigwe University.

Wigwe’s sudden departure leaves a void in the banking industry and the community he served tirelessly. His legacy of excellence, compassion, and dedication to community development will forever be remembered.

NIGERIANS REACT TO WIGWE’S DEATH

Nigerians on social media have continued to mourn following news of the sudden death of the group chief executive officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe.

The prolific banker, whi supervises one of Nigeria’s top five banking institutions has been described as one of the country’s finest deal makers.

An X user, Seun, said “Appears it’s true. Herbert Wigwe was one of the biggest and finest deal makers in Nigerian financial services sector. May his soul RIP. 💔” he tweeted @Oluseun_akin1

Other respondents on the app described Wigwe’s death as a big loss to the nation and its financial sector.

“He was just giving a farewell speech to Uncle Abdul Imoyo few weeks ago. Whaoooo… Life is truly fickle. He is one of Nigerias finest. May his soul be accepted by his creator. Rest on Herbert Wigwe,” another user, identified as Abby Curtis (@CurtisAbbi) said.

Tolulope Micheal, while bidding the late banker farewell, described his death as shocking and hard to believe.

“The news of the death of CEO of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe is shocking and horrible!!

May his soul and the soul of other victims involved in the helicopter crash, rest in peace.

It’s sad. I’m still hoping for someone to come out and debunk this,” he tweeted @im_tolumicheal.

Another X user, identified as AareMusbau (@musbauceo), who shared a short clip of Herbert Wigwe speaking to his community people about his university project, tweeted: “This video of Dr. Herbert Wigwe assuring his community people of providing them with the best university in Africa keeps flashing on my mind.

“Indeed, life is too short, and the next seconds is not guaranteed. Rest on.”

Lawrence Okoro (Sir Law), who tweeted @LawrenceOkoroPG, said losing both Wigwe and Ogunbanjo to a helicopter crash was a very sad incident.

“It’s a very sad day for Nigeria as two business icons are confirmed dead in a helicopter crash in the United States. Rest in Peace, Herbert Wigwe & Abimbola Ogunbanjo.”

Dr Dipo Awojide, while reacting to the passing of Wigwe, described him as one of true champions of human capital in Nigeria and African continent.

“Herbert Wigwe was one of the true champions of Human Capital in Nigeria and Africa. He wrote some much about skills, education and recently started a university. God please console his family and friends. This is tragic and heartbreaking 💔. God please have mercy!!! 😭😭😭”

TOP CITIZENS MOURN WIGWE

Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, leads the crowd of mourners at the demise of Access Holdings boss. Tinubu, through a statement by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, described Wigwe and Ogunbajo as exceptional Nigerian business leaders adding that their passing is “an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension.”

He condoled with the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, the business community, and all those impacted by this harrowing incident.

“I pray for the peaceful repose of the departed and asks God Almighty to comfort the multitude of Nigerians who are grieving and the families of the deceased at this deeply agonizing moment,” Tinubu said in the condolence message.

In their condolence messages, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu; and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, paid high tribute to Herbert Wigwe.

HE’S A MAN OF INTEGRITY – Akpabio

Akpabio, in a statement on Sunday by Eseme Eyiboh, his media aide, described Wigwe as “a man of integrity”.

“I received with shock the news of the passing of Mr Wigwe and some of his family members in a helicopter crash in the USA. Mr Wigwe’s contribution to the growth of Nigerian banking industry and indeed the economy of the country were exemplary and commendable,” Akpabio said.

“In his chosen career he exhibited a high level of professionalism and unmatched leadership which marked him out as a true patriot. He was a man of integrity who never believed in cutting corners to achieve success in business.

“On behalf of the the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I offer our condolences to the Wigwe family, the Board and Management of Access Bank, the Governor of Rivers State, the President and Commander-.in-chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria for losing such a great son, iconic entrepreneur a serial investor at such a time that our country needs his services the most.”

HE WAS A BROTHER, TEAM PLAYER, PHILANTHROPIST – Gov Mbah

On his part, Mbah said he received the news with “deep shock”.

The Enugu governor described Wigwe as “a brother, team player, philanthropist and throughbred professional”.

“This news comes with deep shock and rubs in, once again, the vanity of life,” Mbah said.

“Wigwe was a brother, a team player, philanthropist, visionary, and thoroughbred professional, who distinguished himself in the banking industry and corporate world, rising through the ranks to become a pioneer and titan of our time as well as an entrepreneur of global repute and reach.

“This incident is, therefore, an unspeakable disaster and monumental tragedy, not only to Nigeria, but also to the entire corporate world.

“My heart goes out to his immediate family, relatives, the Access Holdings Plc family, corporate Nigeria, and indeed the nation over these grave losses. May God grant their souls eternal repose.”

A ROLE MODEL TO ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS – Gov Abiodun

Dapo Abiodun, in a statement by Lekan Adeniran, his chief press secretary, said he is deeply saddened by the incident.

He said Wigwe was a quintessential banker who contributed immensely to the Nigerian economy, adding that he was a pillar of support to his administration in Ogun.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe and five others. My thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time,” Abiodun said.

“Herbert Wigwe was not only a respected business leader but also a role model for many aspiring entrepreneurs. His contributions to the banking sector and the Nigerian economy will always be remembered.”

WIGWE’S DEATH IS A MONUMENTAL LOSS – Rivers Gov Fubara

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, expressed shock at the news of the death of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, his son, and others in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, United States.

Wigwe hailed from Rivers State.

The governor described the incident as a “monumental disaster.”

He said Rivers State and Nigeria were in tears over the development.

A statement on Sunday signed by the governor’s media aide, Boniface Onyedi, quoted the governor as saying that there were no words to convey how terrible the losses are, and the state and indeed Nigeria will miss “an unassuming, iconic, and accomplished illustrious son of Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“Rivers State and the nation are in tears because it would be extremely difficult to understand this sweeping loss of a family involving a strong pillar, accomplished banker and philanthropist with tentacles in the education sector.”

Fubara said the Wigwe University, which the deceased pioneered, must not be allowed to die.

I’M TERRIBLY SADDENED – Okonjo-Iweala

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said in a message posted Saturday on her X handle that she feels deeply saddened by Mr Wigwe’s passing.

“Terribly saddened by the news of the terrible loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group CEO Access Bank, his wife and son as well as Bimbo Ogunbanjo in a helicopter crash.

“My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Wigwe family, the Ogunbanjo family, Access Bank Group employees and Management @myaccessbank and my younger Brother Herbert’s partner Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace,” she wrote.

HE WAS A CONSUMMATE BANKER, EDUCATION PROMOTER, AND PHILANTHROPIST – Atiku Abubakar 

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election and former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, described the death of Mr Wigwe as an unfortunate incident.

He also expressed condolences and sympathy to the families and loved ones of the deceased.

“In the words of one of Nigeria’s finest CEOs, Herbert Wigwe, ‘Today and always, let us remember that life is a precious gift – a chance to breathe, feel, love, experience and connect. Let’s honour this gift by living with purpose, kindness, and gratitude, making every moment count. Let us number our days’.

“I’m deeply saddened to hear about the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, and his family. Indeed, Herbert Wigwe, consummate banker, education promoter, and philanthropist, numbered his days. On behalf of my family, my heart goes out to their loved ones and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident. May their souls rest in peace.”

THIS IS A TRAGIC LOSS – Keyamo

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, also paid his tribute while describing Mr Wigwe’s passing as a tragic loss of a friend.

“The reported tragic loss of my friend, brother and not-far-away neighbour in Lagos, Herbert Wigwe, the co-founder of Access Bank, the CEO of Access Holdings and the founder of Wigwe University, is very devastating.

“He was in my office earlier this week (where we took the pictures below) and actually left my office to fly out of the country and never came back. I am also shocked to learn his wife, son and other friends were involved in this tragedy.

“We were on the verge of announcing something big for the aviation sector, the reason he actually came to the office with his entire team, both from Access and Wigwe University. This is surreal and I am lost for words.

“May Almighty God comfort his aged parents and siblings (who were also my neighbours in Lagos for many years as a very young lawyer in Anthony Village), his immediate family members, his staff, friends across Nigeria and dependents,” he said.

I’M SPEECHLESS – Gov Soludo

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo said Wigwe lived a life of impact and purpose, and also expressed his sad feelings on the suddenness of his demise, which he said, had denied humanity the much more the deceased had to offer.

“To think that we were together about two weeks ago with a promise to meet again this week makes the announcement of Herbert’s death tragic.

“This is another stark reminder of the ephemerality of life. While Herbert lived a life of impact and purpose, I am pained that there was much more he had for humanity that his sudden exit has denied us.

“I am just speechless!” Governor Soludo wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday.

ONE OF AFRICA’S BRIGHTEST MINDS’ GONE – Sanwo-Olu

In his condolence statement on Sunday via X, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described Wigwe as “one of the brightest minds in Africa” and a “visionary leader” who made unparalleled contributions to banking and the financial sector.

“Herbert was not just a brother and visionary leader but one of the brightest minds in Africa. His impact on our nation and beyond will be remembered forever. My heart mourns,” the governor said.

According to Sanwo-Olu, Wigwe was an “unapologetic believer in the Nigerian solution” whose dedication and passion for progress inspired many.

“Today, we mourn not just a leader but a true friend and brother. Lagos and Nigeria have lost a remarkable soul. Rest in peace, my brother,” he added

Other notable Nigerians that sent in their condolences include Kwara governor, Abdulrazaq Abdulfatta, former Ekiti governor, Kayode Fayemi, Senator Shehu Sani, and a host of others.

There is no doubt that Wigwe will be missed. His turnaround of Access Bank remains a phenomenon, his bias for education, and quest to empower women arw debatable standards. It is no secret that Access Bank is the bank of choice for the female folks. This is not forgetting the ambitious Wigwe University, with state of the art facilities, billed to take off in September 2024.

We at The Boss wish enigmatic banker a glorious journey to eternity.

May your soul rest in peace sir!

Headline

How FG Spent N19bn on Presidential Planes in 15 Months – Report

Published

6 days ago

November 12, 2024

Eric

At least N19.43 billion has reportedly been spent on the maintenance and operations of the Presidential Air Fleet from July 2023 to September 2024.

According to GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks and analyses the Federal government’s spending, showed that for 2024, the payouts amounted to N13.55billion, representing 66 per cent of the allocations for the fleet in the 2024 fiscal year.

Most disbursements were labeled ‘Forex Transit Funds,’ typically funds allocated for foreign exchange requirements to facilitate international transactions and engagements.

In the context of the Presidential Air Fleet, such funds are used to cover expenses related to operations outside the country, including fuel purchases, maintenance or services in foreign currencies.

“When aircraft on the fleet are abroad, payments are often made in U.S. dollars or another foreign currency to ensure uninterrupted operations,” a government official explained.

In July 2023, N1.52bn was disbursed in two tranches of N846m and N675m for ‘Presidential air fleet forex transit funds.’

The following month, N3.1bn was disbursed in three tranches of N388m, N2bn, and N713m for the same item.

In November of that year, N1.26bn was released to the Presidential Air Fleet Naira transit account.

The first overhead for 2024 came in March, where N1.27bn were disbursed twice, amounting to N2.54bn. The transit account received N6.35bn in April, N4.97bn in May and N210m in July.

August saw the highest frequency of transactions, with N5.60bn released in six separate disbursements.

Although these transactions were not clearly labeled, the monies were paid into the Presidential Air Fleet naira transit account, including the N35m transfer made in September.

In late April, the transit account received N5.08bn; this came around the same time the President was on a two-nation tour to the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.

Although Tinubu arrived in the Netherlands in a state-owned Gulfstream AeroSpace 550 Jet, the aircraft could not proceed to Saudi Arabia due to unspecified technical problems. He reportedly continued his journey on a chartered private plane.

At the time, the President’s Boeing 737 business jet was undergoing maintenance. It was later replaced with an Airbus A330 purchased for $100m in August through service-wide votes.

The nearly 15-year-old plane, an ACJ330-200, VP-CAC (MSN 1053), is “spacious and furnished with state-of-the-art avionics, customised interior and communications system,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga said, adding that it “will save Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.”

The new Airbus A330 is just one of several aircraft currently on the Presidential Air Fleet, arguably one of Africa’s largest, with around 11 aircraft of various makes and models. Until August, it comprised the 19-year-old B737-700 and a 13-year-old Gulfstream Aerospace G550.

The BBJ was acquired during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo at $43m but became a money guzzler as it aged.

Onanuga, defending the purchase of Airbus A330, argued that the new Airbus 330 aircraft and the costs of maintaining the air fleet were not for the president but in the interest of Nigerians.

“It’s not President Tinubu’s plane; it belongs to the people of Nigeria, it is our property…the President did not buy a new jet; what he has is a refurbished jet – it has been used by somebody else before he got it, but it is a much newer model than the one President Buhari used.

“The one President Buhari used was bought by President Obasanjo some 20 years ago. There was a time when the President went to Saudi Arabia, and the plane developed some problems. The President had to leave the Netherlands with a chartered jet.

“Nigerians should try to prioritise the safety of the President. I’m not sure anybody wishes our president to go and crash in the air. We want his safety so that he can hand it over to whoever wants to take over from him,” Onanuga said.

The presidential aide said he discussed with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on the faulty plane [Boeing 737 jet] and he said the maintenance costs were excessive because of the age of the aircraft, hence the need for another plane.

The presidential fixed-wing fleet includes a Gulfstream G500, two Falcon 7Xs, a Hawker 4000, and a Challenger 605.

Three of the seven fixed-wings are reportedly unserviceable. Meanwhile, the rotor-wing fleet includes two Agusta 139s and two Agusta 101s, all operated by the Nigerian Air Force but supervised by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Former President Buhari promised to reduce the number of aircraft in the PAF to the absolute necessary.

In April 2023, three jets were put up for sale, but there were no specifics on which.

However, efforts to sell one of the Dassault Falcon 7x and the Hawker 4000 in October 2016 stalled when a potential buyer reduced their initial offer from $24m to $11m.

Since 2017, budgetary allocations for the fleet have shown a growing trend, with one exception in 2020.

The allocation for the fleet increased from N4.37bn in 2017 to N20.52bn in 2024, showing a 370 per cent rise in running costs.

In 2018, the fleet’s budget rose significantly by 66.13 per cent to N7.26bn, driven by a substantial increase in capital project allocations while maintaining similar levels for recurrent costs. This upward trajectory continued into 2019, slightly increasing the total allocation to N7.30bn.

The exception came in 2020, when the budget dropped by nearly seven per cent to N6.79bn, primarily due to decreased overhead costs, a reflection of the global economic impacts of lockdowns and disruptions in operations.

By 2021, however, the budget surged dramatically to N12.55bn—a record increase of 84.83 per cent from the previous year.

In 2022, maintenance expenses for each aircraft ranged from $1.5m to $4.5m annually.

The 2022, 2023 and 2024 appropriation acts earmarked N12.48bn, N13.07bn and N20.52bn respectively.

On his way to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Samoa, a foreign object damaged the cockpit windscreen of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s GulfStream aircraft during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York.

According to Lee Aerospace, manufacturers of the Gulfstream, jet windshields consist of thick multilayered structures of varying layers of glass and transparent acrylic built to withstand collision with a 2kg object.

However, damage to the windshield must have affected its inner layers. While specific prices for replacement can vary based on supplier, labour rates and regional costs, estimates suggest that a single windshield replacement for a G550 can range from $50,000 to $70,000 for part and labour costs.

In an interview with our correspondent, the General Secretary of the Aviation Round Table, Olumide Ohunayo, blamed the meteoric rise in the allocations for the PAF on the age of some of the aircraft in the fleet and declining value of the naira as well as the “commercial use” of aircraft by the Nigerian Air Force.

Ohunayo said, “The cost will definitely increase over the years because for one, this issue of the naira against the dollar. As the naira keeps falling to the dollar, we will see a rise in cost because most of the costs of training crew and engineers and replacing aircraft parts are all in dollars.

“Also, some of these aircraft are not new. The older the aircraft, the higher the cost of maintenance and operation.

“Lastly, during these past years, terrorism and insecurity have increased in Nigeria, which has also affected the cost of insuring the aircraft.”

For his part, the Executive Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, argued that the administration’s spending habits were opposite to Nigerians’ expectations of frugality.

“What we are getting from this administration is opposite to our expectation. We thought we would have an administration that would be frugal in spending and very meticulous at implementing its budget.

“But what we are getting is an administration that has fallen in love with profligacy; that doesn’t see anything wrong in living big amid a poverty-stricken nation.

“It is a reenactment of the Shagari administration, whereby they bought the biggest Mercedes Benz and made themselves as comfortable as possible without considering how much the masses are suffering.

“So when you look at a Vice President saying he’s not travelling [to Samoa] again because there was a splinter on the windscreen of his private aircraft. Why should that be the case?

“First and foremost, we need to be represented at such an international meeting, where we should be well represented by the first two citizens of this country.

“He abandoned that, which means we would have lost certain representation that we deserve at that forum. Two, money will have been spent on advance parties that went ahead of the Vice President. But he abandoned the journey altogether.”

Headline

Pastor Tunde Bakare: Celebrating a Visionary Preacher @70

Published

1 week ago

November 10, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

He is visionary, blunt, articulate, passionate, fiery, evangelical, fearless, controversial and the newest septugenarian. He is the Founder and Presidng Pastor of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), formally known as the Latter Rain Assembly. He is Pastor Tunde Bakare.

A thought provoking preacher, social commentator, legal expert and politician, Tunde Bakare has come of age in the business called Nigeria.

Born on November 11, 1954, Pastor Bakare is regarded as not only a prophetic-apostolic pastor, but a social and economic image maker, whose contributions to the originality, truth and oneness of the nation cannot be overemphasized.

Originally a Muslim, who embraced the Christian faith in 1974 at the age of 20, Bakare has contributed his quota as a nation builder, seeking both the Vice president and president positions of the nation on two different occasions.

Pastor Bakare started his educational life at All Saints Primary School, Kemta, Abeokuta, and subsequently Lisabi Grammar School, Abeokuta, where he obtained both the School Leaving Certificate and the West Africa Examination Council certificate

After his secondary education, he was admitted into the University of Lagos where he studied Law between 1977 and 1980 before attending Law School in 1981, and was subsequently called to the Bar and following his time in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Bakare kickstarted his career when he started practicing law at the Gani Fawehinmi Chambers. His dexterity on the job propelled him to Rotimi Williams & Co., and later to Burke & Co., Solicitors.

In October 1984, he went solo, and established his own law firm, Tunde Bakare & Co. (El-Shaddai Chambers). Within the preceeding periods, he combined his legal duties with pastoral functions working as a legal adviser at the Deeper Life Bible Church, and later moving to the Redeemed Christian Church of God, where he became pastor and founded the Model Parish.

Following his time at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Bakare left to start the Latter Rain Assembly Church in 1989, known today aa CGCC, where he presently serves as the General Overseer. In addition to his time in the church, he zeroed into part time politics, serving as the running-mate to presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 presidential election. Bakare has been critical of Nigeria’s leadership and has sparked controversy with comments considered inflammatory regarding Muslims and other spiritual leaders.

Also in 2019, Bakare announced his intention to run for president of Nigeria following the end of Buhari’s second term with a total conviction that he has a direct mandate to do and will surely become the next president of Nigeria. He joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) but, lost at the primaries conducted at Eagle Square, Abuja, in May 2022. He launched his then political trajectory under the New Nigeria Progressive Movement.

While expressing his intentions to run for the 2023 presidential election towards becoming the next president of Nigeria to church members in 2019 when he was quoted as saying, “I will succeed Buhari as President of Nigeria; nothing can change it. I am number 16, and Buhari is number 15. I never said it to you before. I am saying it now, and nothing can change it. In the name of Jesus, he (Buhari) is number 15. I am number 16. To this end, I was born, and for this purpose, I came into the world. I have prepared you for this for more than 30 years.”

Bakare also presides over the Global Apostolic Impact Network (GAIN), a network of churches, ministries, and kingdom businesses committed to advancing the Kingdom of God on earth as well as the President of Latter Rain Ministries, Inc. (Church Development Center) in Atlanta, GA, USA, a ministry committed to restoring today’s church to the scriptural pattern. He was given a Doctor of Ministry degree by Indiana Christian University under the leadership of his mentor, Dr. Lester Sumrall, in 1996.

Bakare has been instrumental to some uprisings in the country that challenge unhealthy administrations. It would be recalled that his Occupied Nigeria Movement led the protest against the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in January 2012 after minor increase in fuel price. The protest was a total success, and led to reduction in fuel pump price.

Also a social critic, Bakare is critical of Miyetti Allah, labeling the Fulani herdsmen as a group of terrorists who rape, murder, and kidnap innocent civilians. Several Fulani Islamic scholars criticized Bakare’s comments about Fulani herdsmen as Islamophobic. Bakare had said that Fulani herdsmen were driving Nigeria towards a civil war.

He also holds a yearly state of the nation address to set the stage for the future and review national issues of the year past.

In his 2019 address, he stated, “We can therefore confidently state that, over the past thirty years, we have faithfully executed our God-given mandate to the nation from this platform. Over the past thirty years, we have deployed appropriate tools for appropriate occasions, from prophetic declarations to confrontational advocacy and from political activism to propositional policy advisory. Over the past thirty years, we have done this consistently, sometimes at the risk of being misunderstood by friends and foes alike.

“We have been motivated not by wavering
opinions of men but by our unshakeable faith in our national destiny and an unalloyed commitment to seeing that destiny fulfilled.”

Reports have it that he was arrested in March 2002 after preaching sermons critical of Nigeria’s then-president, Olusegun Obasanjo.

No matter how it is viewed, and the direction of his controversies, one thing is obvious, Bakare has stood on the side of truth, hope, and justice, and has remained consistent over the years.

The Serving Overseer has been very vocal, his trademark, over the recent hardship in the country, condemning the politicians for preaching what they cannot practice.

He said Nigerian politicians were not living lean or sacrificing like the rest of the citizens whom they asked to sacrifice for the country by enduring economic hardship.

Bakare said this while delivering the keynote address with the theme: “Cultivating a Culture of Dialogue: Nurturing Understanding in a Culturally and Socially Diverse Nation” at Wilson and Yinka Badejo Memorial Lecture 2024.

He is a strong believer in the theory that the pen is mightier than the sword. He write in an essay of same title that:

“The likes of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Kwame Nkrumah, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, armed with no other weapon, mobilised the Queen’s language in the struggle for independence from the Queen. They fought their battles through such media as West African Pilot, Accra Evening News and The Tribune. Decades after independence, when free, fair and credible elections were annulled, and a tyrannical dictatorship held sway, the Nigerian press took up the baton and contended against the sword of oppression by deploying the armoury of vocabulary. I am so glad that the labours of these pen warriors and all others who fought for the democracy we enjoy today have not been in vain after all.”

For seven decades, Pastor Bakare has remained a voice in Nigeria politics, religion and socio-economic circle, relating with with Nigerians according to where the matter lies.

On this occasion of your 70th Birthday, we celebrate your consistency, focus and leadership acumen that has affected the people positively.

Congratulations sir!

Headline

US Polls: Tinubu, UK PM Starmer Congratulate Trump

Published

2 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, said President Tinubu looks forward to strengthening the relations between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.

Donald Trump claimed victory on Wednesday and pledged to “heal” the country as results put him on the verge of beating Kamala Harris in a stunning White House comeback.

President Tinubu said: “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”

According to President Tinubu, Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership. He congratulates them on their commitment to democracy.

President Tinubu believes that, given President Trump’s experience as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th president will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.

Acknowledging the United States’ influence, power, and position in determining the trend and course of global events, the Nigerian leader trusts that President Trump will bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.

Meanwhile, the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has congratulated Donald Trump on his “historic election victory”, adding that the UK-US special relationship would “continue to prosper”.

“As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come,” he said.