Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday promised to immortalise the late founder of Access Bank, Dr Herbert Wigwe, born at the Island Maternity Hospital in the state.

Mr Sanwo-Olu made the pledge on Monday at an event to celebrate the late Group Chief Executive, Access Corporation tagged, “Celebrating Herbert Wigwe – A professional legacy.’’

The event was divided into six segments – Young Herbert, the banker, the entrepreneur, the CEO, the builder and the ambassador.

The governor narrated his last conversation with the late Wigwe on Thursday, February 8, where they discussed lofty ideas.

“This was the last conversation that I will keep on my phone for a long time,” he said.

He said that the late Wigwe was a man who always had good stories and supported several projects of his administration, driving him to take up new challenges.

“Herbert was one of the first people that supported my ambition generously,” he said.

He said it was unbelievable how a man could give so much, including his words of encouragement.

Mr Sanwo-Olu revealed how the late Wigwe collaborated with other partners to cushion the effects of COVID-19 during the global pandemic.

“Herbert led from the front, encouraged and stood with the state government. I have indeed lost a big friend,” he said.

He said the late Wigwe and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, the former group managing director of Access Bank, took a trip with him to Cairo to pursue visions of Lagos.

He added that the late Wigwe had a special history of Isale Eko, and Lagos would immortalise him, having been born in Island Maternity Hospital.

He said if places of birth mattered, the late Wigwe should be of Isale Eko origin, noting, “Herbert has transcended beyond borders.

“Lagos will not forget Herbert Wigwe. We will support the family,” he said.

His counterpart in Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, while speaking of his encounters said, “It is a tough season for all of us.”

Mr Abiodun said words were not enough to describe how larger than life the late Wigwe was as he achieved so much within a short time.

“Herbert was loyal to his friends, way ahead of his time ever forward looking,” he said.

He said the late Wigwe believed in Nigeria and was patriotic, adding that he met him about 30 years ago and thanked the late Wigwe for believing in him and being supportive of his programmes and projects.

He said the projects included Gateway International Airport and the Epe/Ijebu-Ode Road projects, among others.

He described the late Wigwe as a bridge builder, selfless, bold and courageous.

He said it still felt like a bad dream that Herbert was gone, saying he was happy he honoured the invitation to see his new home.

He hinted that the late Wigwe had a street named after him in Beirut, saying, “he lived more than a life on one lifetime.’’

Also, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, narrated the late Wigwe’s contributions to sports and various sectors, including supporting his personal and family visions.

“Herbert gave me his time and thinking, what I valued most; the man is never short of ideas,” he said.

Besides, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, appreciated the late Wigwe’s hard work, broad knowledge base and role in shaping banking reforms further.

He said that the late Wigwe’s commitment to reform and his genuine concern for the well-being of Nigerians garnered significant recognition.

The CBN governor said he and the deceased recently discussed the way out of the country’s economic impasse, adding that the banker’s demise had left a vacuum in the banking sector and the economy.

In his view, former CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi, emphasised the immense value of the late Wigwe’s contributions and the challenges that could arise in finding a suitable replacement.

Mr Sanusi recognised the late Wigwe’s influence and the long-lasting imprint of his work, saying that further solidified the remarkable nature of his contributions.

Ex-senator for Gombe North and former governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo, said, “From Him we come, to Him we shall return” while reeling out good times with WigweCoopers Library.

Mr Dankwambo said Herbert was handed over to him as a brother by his father.

Mr Dankwambo, a former Accountant-General of the Federation, shared hilarious moments, describing the late Wigwe as a detribalised Nigerian.

“Herbert and I acquired this bank (Access Bank) and made it what it is today,” he said.

Dignitaries relished adventurous and courageous stories from the late Wigwe’s early childhood and later his sojourn and success stories from Guaranty Trust Bank and later the acquisition of Access Bank.

Businessman, Femi Otedola, in an emotion-laden voice, also extolled  the qualities of the late Wigwe while Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, said the late Wigwe led an incredible life.

Tributes of President Bola Tinubu, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, France President, Emmanuel Macron, and former US President Bill Clinton’s were read at the event.

Friends, associations, professional colleagues, Access Bank management from Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK as well as staff took turns to eulogise the patriotism, friendship, and mentorship qualities of the late banker.

Executive Director-in-charge of Corporate and Investment Banking at Access Bank Plc, Iyabo Okusanya, said the opening prayer at the event.

Also, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank, Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna, read the citation of the late banker, while the former group managing director of Access Bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, delivered the closing speech.

(NAN)