By Eric Elezuo
The tears flowed freely on Friday at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel, when dignitaries cutting across all strata of the economy gathered to pay their last respects to late Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings Limited, Dr. Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, who was killed in a helicopter crash on Friday, February 9, 2024 in faraway United States of America. The event was themed Celebrating Herbert Wigwe: A Professional Legacy.
Filled to the brim with most people left outside the hall, guests, who dressed in all black, to reflect the mood of the moment, took turns to eulogise a man everyone has come to agree was without a doubt professionally fearless.
In his condolence remarks, the Chairman, Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who could not hold back his tears traced his friendship with Wigwe, dating back 30 years, describing him as a nation builder, and one that could be trusted wholeheartedly.
Referring to Wigwe as his mentor, Dangote announced the naming of a complex at the Dangote Refinery after the departed seasoned banker.
On his part, the Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who said that he had known Wigwe in the last 34 years, promised to immortalize him. He noted was an ‘Isale Eko boy’, having been born at the Mainland Maternity School.
Other dignitaries, who presented glowing remarks concerning Wigwe, a philanthropist and educationist par excellence, were Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, former Managing Director, and Access Bank, Aig-Imoukhuede.
They separated poured encomiums on Wigwe, describing him as a man conquered from the scratch, out of a dint of hardwork.
Wigwe died in company of his wife, Chizoba, his son, Chizi and a business associate, Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo in the ill-fated flight.
Wigwe, his wife and son are survived by parents, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters.
