Herbert Wigwe, the esteemed co-founder of Access Bank, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, has been laid to rest in his hometown of Isiokpo, Rivers State. Alongside his wife, Doreen Chizoba, and their son, Chizzy, Mr. Wigwe found his final resting place on Saturday, March 9th, within a private mausoleum located at Wigwe University, an educational institution he established in Isiokpo.
The funeral proceedings commenced with a solemn service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Isiokpo, followed by the interment at the family’s private tomb. The somber atmosphere reverberated with grief as the caskets were tenderly lowered into the earth.
Tragically, Mr. Wigwe, his wife, and son were among six individuals who perished in a helicopter crash in California last month. Following a week-long series of funeral rites in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, the final farewell took place in his hometown.
Distinguished guests, including Africa’s wealthiest individual, Aliko Dangote, graced the occasion. Mr. Dangote expressed his profound sorrow, pledging to honor Mr. Wigwe’s memory by dedicating a road leading to his oil refinery in his name. “I feel a profound sense of helplessness, unable to prevent the tragedy that befell my dear friend, brother, and mentee – a truly loyal companion,” remarked Mr. Dangote during the memorial.
Tributes poured in from across the globe, with a representative of French President Emmanuel Macron extending condolences, acknowledging Mr. Wigwe’s impactful international relations. Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima lamented the loss, reflecting on Mr. Wigwe’s departure as premature, akin to the departure of spring before its blossoming.
The ill-fated helicopter, en route to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl, crashed near Nipton amidst adverse weather conditions, claiming the lives of both pilots and a former president of the Nigerian stock exchange.
Mr. Wigwe’s legacy in the banking sector is profound and far-reaching. He established Access Bank in 1989, guiding its ascension to Nigeria’s largest bank in 2018 following the acquisition of Diamond Bank. His vision extended beyond national borders, with strategic expansions across Africa, including Kenya, South Africa, and Botswana.
In addition to his banking endeavours, Mr. Wigwe was to inaugurate Wigwe University, a higher education institution scheduled for a September launch.
President Bola Tinubu, expressing shock and disbelief, encapsulated the sentiment surrounding Mr. Wigwe’s untimely demise. His passing leaves a void not only in the financial sector but also in the hearts of those who revered him as a visionary leader and a cherished friend.
