Uchechukwu Okoroafor,Abuja
About a month ago, Southern California witnessed a heart-wrenching incident as six individuals, including the Group Chief Executive of one of Nigeria’s largest banks, lost their lives in a fatal helicopter crash. The somber news reverberated across local and international media outlets, casting a pall of sorrow over the untimely tragedy.
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The helicopter, carrying six people, crashed around 10 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2024, near Nipton, California, as confirmed by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in an official statement. Among the victims were Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife and son. The crash also claimed the life of the Nigerian Exchange Group’s former chairman, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
In the aftermath of this tragic incident, Access Bank, led by the Wigwe family, organized a series of memorials. These poignant ceremonies were broadcast live by international cable news networks in Nigeria, providing a glimpse into the previously hidden aspects of Herbert Wigwe’s life and legacy. The televised memorials reached homes in Nigeria and beyond, offering a broader audience insight into the profound impact of the lives lost in the helicopter crash.
At these memorials, many who had ever had contact with him reminisced about his life of giving and caring for others. From the lowly to the high and mighty, the verdict was that he lived a life worthy of emulation at home and abroad. A life that transcends Nigeria’s usual fault lines of ethnicity and religion.
French President Emmanuel Macron and former US President Bill Clinton were among those who paid tribute to Wigwe.
“France has lost a great friend in Herbert Wigwe,” said Macron, represented by French foreign trade minister Franck Riester at the ‘Night of Tributes’ memorial for the Wigwes held in Lagos’ Victoria Island. “Not only was he dedicated to the development of cross-cultural initiatives between our two countries, but he has also, without respite, worked to increase our economic partnership,” he added.
Former US President Bill Clinton paid tribute to Wigwe, saying, “Words cannot ease the pain of such a tragic loss.” Clinton added that he “deeply admired Herbert’s commitment to widening the circle of opportunity for young people in Nigeria and supporting humanitarian work around the world.”
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu earlier called the death of the Wigwes “an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension,” while Vice President Kashim Shettima mourned their deaths in a eulogy delivered at the memorial.
“Herbert left us in winter before the season of bloom,” the Nigerian vice president said.
The 14th Emir of Kano State, Mohammed Sanusi, also recounted how Wigwe came to his rescue after he was dethroned and had to leave the state. Sanusi made this known at the night of tributes organised in Wigwe’s honour in Lagos. Recounting his sojourn with the late Wigwe, Sanusi, who broke down in tears three times, recalled how the late banker came to his rescue when he was dethroned and needed a place for him and his family to stay. He said, “When I had problems in Kano, I called him (Wigwe) about six months before I was to leave Kano, and I said to him, ‘Herbert I know you will give all your best to solve all these problems, but I am convinced that this is what is going to happen.’ And he said to me, ‘Your Highness, don’t worry, whatever happens, don’t worry; we are here for you.’
“On the day I heard on the radio that I was dethroned, the night before it happened, I called and said I wanted to come to Lagos. The announcement was made at about 9 am, and by noon, Herbert had a plane at the tarmac in Kano. I put my family on that plane—no message, no phone call—I put them on that plane. Herbert received them, put them in a hotel, and later got them accommodation for months.”
According to Sanusi, Wigwe’s kindness to him gave many the impression that he (Sanusi) owned Access Bank, while Wigwe and Aig-Imoukhuede were his stooges. “When I came, we stayed there. Some people believe I own Access Bank, and Aig and Herbert are fronting for me. They gave me the cars and the drivers, they gave me security and a private jet; and they asked for nothing and didn’t talk about it. I have lived in Lagos for four years, the house my family lives in was provided by Herbert,” he said.
He added, “When I heard of his death, I said, ‘In the coming weeks and months, people will get to know Herbert the human being’. They know him as a banker, as a businessman, but they don’t know him as a human being. He was always about others, not about himself. You can’t imagine how one human being could have been so many things to so many people.”
Sanusi also recalled how he entrusted his life savings to Wigwe. He revealed that this was because he (Sanusi) thought he was going to die before him (Wigwe). “About two years ago, I put all my savings into a Trust for the education of my children, I have many and my priority as a father is to make sure that when I pass away, they will have a good education. “I told Herbert, ‘I am placing you in charge of this trust for the education of my children because I know that even if I die and do not leave any money, you will educate my children. “I thought I would die before Herbert,” he revealed.
In the same vein, Vice President Kashim Shetimma paid glowing tribute to Wigwe. Delivering his speech, titled, “Herbert Wigwe: The Flower That Bloomed Before Spring,” the VP said, “Herbert, though an early bloomer in the garden of life, didn’t share the fate of those who faded away prematurely. “Their achievements were not just individual triumphs but testaments to the collective strength of those they touched, those they built, and those they inspired. The journey of our departed brothers and sisters may have ended in a distant land, but their spirits linger in the hearts of everyone here and beyond.
The founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Atedo Peterside, also described the late Wigwe, as a man whose influence was felt beyond the financial services sector. Peterside, in a tribute he wrote on Anap Jets FTZ letterhead, said, “I got to meet Herbert properly during my time as the pioneer CEO of IBTC (now Stanbic IBTC) and quickly concluded that he would soon become a luminary in the banking sector. I was right, and he later joined our ranks as a bank entrepreneur. However, any attempt to focus exclusively on Herbert’s banking endeavours greatly diminishes this colossus. Herbert was more than a bank entrepreneur. “Many of us will remember Herbert forever on account of his numerous good works, which transcend banking. Herbert was a catalyst for positive change in banking, in the arts world, where he loomed large, and also, in music, film, sports, education, etc. His audacious plans for Wigwe University captured our imagination and may well trigger a revolution in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
“Herbert was the youngest member of a Rivers State-focused private group of seven eminent persons, which we called the G7. The group has now been reduced to six persons. In my opinion, Herbert is irreplaceable, and so I will be canvassing that we remain G7 with an honorary place kept for Herbert, because he will forever remain in our hearts.”
Former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and former Chairman of Access Bank, Dere Awosika, gave heartfelt eulogies at the combined Service of Songs held for the late Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba, and son, Chizi, where they called for reflection of faith, service to God, and mortality.
In his address at the Resurrection Parish, RCCG, Lagos, Osinbajo said, “Herbert is someone who walked the talk of brotherhood and friendship. It wasn’t just rhetoric. It wasn’t just talk. He was there for his friends and his associates; we have heard how deeply he cared for his family.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, hailed the deceased banker for his philanthropy, intellect, nation-building, and other remarkable qualities he displayed during his lifetime.
Adeboye said this at the combined service of songs for Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba, and their son, Chizi, which was held at the RCCG Resurrection Parish, Lekki, Lagos.
Adeboye said, “More importantly, his commitment to the Christian faith and active involvement in spreading the gospel were exemplary.
There is no doubt that from the testimonies we heard from his personal aides, including his driver, the ordinary people of Isiokpo, his hometown, professional colleagues, families, and friends, the country lost a patriot who created thousands of jobs and broke the barrier of ethnicity and religion in a country where these fault lines have defined our politics since the return of democracy in 1999. He touched many lives, irrespective of religion and ethnicity, and we hope that our elected political office holders will learn from his life, work for the good of the country, and leave an admirable legacy like Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe.