Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, said Sunday that the state has suffered a great loss with the death of Herbert Wigwe, the managing director of Access Holdings Group.
He pointed out that since his administration’s founding in 2019, Wigwe had consistently backed its development programs.
This was revealed by Sanwo-Olu at the Access Holdings-organized First Year Memorial Service for Wigwe, his wife Doreen, and son Chizi, held at the Eko Hotels & Suites on Victoria Island in Lagos.
In addition to President Emmanuel Macron of France, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governors Sanwo-Olu and Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Mr. Wale Edun, Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, current and former public office holders, captains of industries, well-known bankers, and business tycoons, the late Wigwe’s family, friends, coworkers, and loved ones attended the memorial service.
According to a statement provided to ireport247new on Monday by Gboyega Akosile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the state has been greatly affected by Wigwe’s absence ever since his death a year ago.
“Across the states there are projects with Herbert Wigwe’s footprint,” the statement stated, quoting Sanwo-Olu as saying that some projects would have been completed sooner if Wigwe had been living.
According to report, on February 9, 2022, Herbert, Doreen, and Chizi perished in a helicopter crash in the Mojave Desert close to the California-Nevada border in the United States, along with Bimbo Ogunbanjo, the former Chairman of the Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX).
According to Sanwo-Olu’s words, the late Wigwe believed in the government’s accomplishments. He went on to say that the shrewd banker was a builder of people, ideas, and the future in addition to enterprises, and that his passing was a reality “we never prepared for.”
He lived constantly in the present and the future, according to Sanwo-Olu. He was a firm believer in deeds rather than words. I witnessed him bring his vision to life.
He moved when others paused. He saw opportunities where others saw barriers. He genuinely had faith in Africa and Nigeria. He transformed ideas into reality and built both enterprises and men.
In Lagos State, his absence is greatly felt since, had he been here, some initiatives would have advanced more quickly. By organizing partners and money for state programs, Herbert made my job easier.
Earlier, Wigwe’s influence was not limited to the “boardroom and balance sheet,” according to President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy.
In Edun’s tribute, Tinubu characterized the late Wigwe as a builder of institutions and dreams rather than merely a banker.
“Herbert was the epitome of charity, vision, and excellence. He had a strong desire to improve society. He said that his influence could be seen in the opportunities he made, the lives he impacted, and the hopes he sparked.
Wigwe was also hailed by President Emmanuel Macron as a French friend and a remarkable entrepreneur. He said, “As Chairman of the Nigeria-France Business Council, he made significant contributions that strengthened the friendship and bilateral relationship between France and Nigeria.”
Wigwe’s tenacity and commitment to collaboration were emphasized by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who said that “despite his success, he remained accessible and committed to nurturing relationships.”
He realized that effective leadership entails developing both people and organizations. His legacy serves as evidence of what Africans are capable of when they have vision, perseverance, and teamwork.