*Daughter, Aide, Associates, Other Pay Tributes
FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron has pledged the preservation of the legacies of late Group Chief Executive of Access Corporation, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, to ensure his visions were actualised.
Speaking on Wednesday at the ‘Night of Tributes’ in honour of Wigwe in Lagos, Macron, represented by a former minister of Culture, Franck Riester, said Wigwe took over as the President of the France-Nigeria Business Council in 2023 and brought in several entrepreneurial innovations to strengthen the bilateral relationship.
He said Access Bank was the first bank to open a subsidiary in France last year, saying: “France was ever grateful for his caring friendship. I can assure you that we will do our best to keep his legacy alive and make his vision a reality.”
While acknowledged Wigwe’s achievements, including the Wigwe University, which showed his belief in Nigerian youths to change the narrative for speedy growth, Macron stated: “France has lost a great friend in Herbert Wigwe.”
A former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi, narrated how Wigwe stood with him through his trying moments following his deposition as the Emir of Kano by providing both financial and emotional support to stabilise him and his family, among others.
Sanusi, occasionally unable to hold back tears, said he put Wigwe in trust of the education of all his numerous children because of the deceased’s commitment of the deceased to academic excellence and his great vision for the country, adding: “I was thinking I will die and leave Hebert.
Wigwe was selfless, always about other, not himself.”
He said the late banker sacrificed so much for him, his family, Nigerians and people from all walks of life, noting: “You never could have imagined how one human being can be so many different things to different people.”
He expressed joy that Wigwe, in his last moment, had the opportunity of knowing that he (Sanusi) loved him.
In his tribute, Wigwe’s Personal and Technical Assistant, Olusola Faleye, explained how he cheated death by choosing to take the family’s luggage by road to their destination due to lack of space with his boss’ permission.
He narrated: “I went up to him and said, ,sir, I think its safer and will be secured for me to just ride and bring the luggage to you.’ He said, ‘brilliant idea,’ and I said, ‘safe flight.”
He reminisced on his boss’ kindness in time of need, saying: “He comes to you in times of storm and he rescues you.” Faleye added: “I still see him, he lives, he’s just everywhere living, because his dream is scattered everywhere, germinating and growing.”
Wigwe’s daughter, Tochi, shared how close she was to the father, who inspired, mentored and monitored her progress every step. Amid sobs, she expressed hope of seeing her father again after life, to catch up on gossips and several other moments.
Wigwe’s brother, Emeka, narrated recalled moments of their adventurous childhood and adulthood together, noting: “I can’t see wrong in him.”
His sisters, cousins and other relatives took turns to express grief and the exciting moments they had with him.
Chairman of Access Bank Plc Board, Paul Usoro, led members of Access Bank family from various branches in Nigeria, Cameroun, Zambia and other African countries, to chant the Access slogan in a bid to let Wigwe know the Access Warriors were keeping his dreams alive.
