General
Emotions Pour as Dignitaries Eulogise Late Herbert Wigwe
By Adedapo Adesanya
It was an emotional rollercoaster at the tribute event held on Monday night to celebrate the late group chief executive of Access Holdings Plc, Mr Herbert Wigwe.
Dignitaries from government, corporate organisations, and royalty paid tribute to the late titan who died alongside his wife, son, and a former group chairman of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group Plc, Mr Abimbola Ogunbajo, on February 9 in the United States.
The event which was monitored by Business Post was divided into six segments – Young Hebert, the banker, the entrepreneur, the CEO, the builder and the ambassador.
These personalities relished adventurous and courageous stories from Wigwe’s early childhood and later his successful sojourn and success stories from GTBank and later the acquisition of Access Bank.
A friend of the deceased, Mr Aliko Dangote, was in tears as well as Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, his long-term business partner and co-founder of Access Bank and Mr Femi Otedola, in an emotion-laden voice, also expressed the qualities of Mr Wigwe.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, who first spoke for the governors reiterated his encounter with the late banker.
“It is a tough season for all of us,” Mr Abiodun said, noting that “words were not enough to describe how larger than life Wigwe was as he achieved so much within a short lifetime.”
“Herbert was loyal to his friends, way ahead of his time ever forward-looking,” he stated.
He said Mr Wigwe believed in the country Nigeria, and he was patriotic, adding that he met him about 30 years ago and thanked Wigwe for believing in him and being supportive of his programmes and projects.
He also said the projects included Gateway International Airport and the Epe/Ijebu-Ode Road projects, among others.
He described Mr 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 Mr Wigwe’s new home.
He disclosed that Mr Wigwe had a street named after him in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon saying, “he lived more than a life in one lifetime.
In an unprepared speech, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos narrated his last conversation with Wigwe on Thursday, February 8, where lofty ideas were discussed.
“This was the last conversation that I will keep on my phone for a long time,” he said.
He promised to immortalise the late founder of Access Bank, Dr Herbert Wigwe, who was born at the Island Maternity Hospital in the state.
He said that 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 very first people that supported my ambition generously,” he added.
He said it was unbelievable how a man could give so much, including his words of encouragement. Sanwo-Olu revealed how Wigwe collaborated with other partners to cushion the effects of COVID-19 during the dreaded global pandemic.
“Herbert led from the front, encouraged and stood with the state government. I have indeed lost a big friend,” he added.
He said Mr Wigwe and Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, the former group managing director of Access Bank, took a trip with him to Cairo to pursue visions of Lagos.
He also said Mr Wigwe had a special history of Isale Eko, and Lagos would immortalise him, haven being born in Island Maternity Hospital.
He said if places of birth mattered, Mr 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.
The Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, narrated Mr 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 noted.
Mr Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), lauded Mr Wigwe’s hard work, broad knowledge base and role in shaping banking reforms further.
He said that Mr 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.
On his part, the former CBN Governor, Mr Lamido Sanusi, emphasised the immense value of Wigwe’s contributions and the challenges that could arise in finding a suitable replacement.
Mr Sanusi recognised Mr Wigwe’s influence and the long-lasting imprint of his work, saying that further solidified the remarkable nature of his contributions.
For Mr Ibrahim Dankwambo, the former Senator for Gombe North and former governor of Gombe State, eulogised saying “from Him we come, to Him we shall return” and reeled out good times with the late founder, saying he was handed over to him as a brother by his father.
Mr Dankwambo, a former Accountant-General of the Federation, shared hilarious moments and described Mr Wigwe as a detribalised Nigerian.
Tributes of President Bola Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Emmanuel Macron of France, and former US President Bill Clinton were read at the event.
Also, 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 Wigwe.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
In order to aid alternative and sustainable means of livelihood amid rising food prices and growing concerns over food security in Nigeria, the Ibese Plant of Dangote Cement Plc has handed over a state-of-the-art garri and fufu processing plant to the Kajola host community in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The facility is expected to support cassava farmers and processors by improving efficiency and expanding income-generating opportunities.
According to the organisation, the project, delivered under the Community Development Agreement (CDA) with its host communities signed in 2022, is a strategic intervention aimed at boosting agricultural value addition, reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening livelihoods for rural farmers and women.
The Ibese Plant Director, Mr Ayyagari Subbaraidu, at the commissioning, said, “This project is aimed at improving cassava processing, reducing losses and creating sustainable employment for women and farmers in the community.”
He disclosed that the facility features separate garri and fufu processing units equipped with modern machinery, including a five-tonne-per-day peeling machine, hydraulic presses, frying systems, fermentation basins, solar-powered boreholes and sanitation infrastructure, adding that it will serve as a catalyst for local economic growth by enhancing productivity and supporting small-scale agribusinesses across Kajola and neighbouring communities.
The Plant Director also urged the community and the Project Governance Committee to maintain transparency in the management of the facility to ensure long-term sustainability.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Bolu Owotomo, who was at the unveiling of the project, said it aligns with Governor Dapo Abiodun’s vision of making agriculture a key driver of economic growth through value addition and enterprise development.
The Commissioner disclosed that “over 166,000 farmers, including more than 90,000 cassava farmers, have been registered under the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS) to benefit from government interventions.”
He urged the community to safeguard the facility and assured residents of the continued support of the state government towards agricultural development and food security.
“This processing plant will strengthen the cassava value chain, improve product quality, create jobs and enhance food security while boosting farmers’ incomes,” the Commissioner stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has hailed the recent sanctioning of three Nigerian bureau de change (BDC) operators by the United States’ Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for alleged terrorism financing.
“The Nigeria Sanctions Committee welcomes the recent inclusion of Mukthar Muhammad Adamu, Nine to Nine BDC, and Generation BDC Limited by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
“These designations follow the inclusion of Adamu and his companies as part of a broader update to the Nigeria Sanctions List approved and published on 18th June 2026,” it disclosed in a statement.
It said that the naming of the three companies and six people followed extensive intelligence gathering, financial investigations, and inter-agency assessments, which established reasonable grounds to believe that the affected individuals and entities facilitated, financed, supported, or otherwise contributed to the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and associated terrorist networks.
“The individuals and entities added to the Nigeria Sanctions List on 18th June 2026 are Ibrahim Yakubu Ogirima (NLISWi.19), Muktar Muhammad Adamu (NLISWi.20), Adamu Chiroma (NLISWi.21), Ibrahim Abubakar (NLISWi.22), Abdullahi Umar Usman (NLISWi.23), Babangida Muhammed Adamu Hammajam (NLISWi.24), Abbal Bako & Sons Bureau De Change Limited (NLISWe.25), Generation Currency BDC Limited (NLISWe.26), Nine to Nine BDC Limited (NLISWe.27),” the statement read in part.
The federal government reiterated its directive to all financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions to continue to comply with all sanctions obligations, including asset-freezing requirements, the filing of suspicious transaction reports, and the reporting of all relevant matches to the appropriate authorities.
The sanctions committee commended the work of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit for their actions to ensure that terrorist groups are denied the resources that sustain their activities.
It stated that Nigeria remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that terrorists and their financiers find no safe haven within the country’s financial system.
The committee also said that the Federal Government would continue to work closely with domestic stakeholders and international partners to protect national security, strengthen financial integrity, and contribute to global efforts to combat terrorism and its financing.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A radio station, Wise FM, has been sealed by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The premises of the broadcast media platform, located on Ogabi Street, Meiran, Ile-Iwe Bus Stop, were shut by the state government on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, alongside other establishments across different parts of Lagos State for alleged persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and opportunities provided for compliance.
In a statement by LASEPA, it was disclosed that the enforcement exercise was carried out in response to various environmental infractions, including noise pollution, air pollution, obstruction of official duties, and failure to comply with its directives.
As regards Wise FM, it was said that it was sealed for noise and air pollution as well as non-compliance with the Agency’s directives.
Another organisation affected, Star-View Terrace, located in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, was shut down for noise pollution and non-compliance with the agency’s directives, while Premiership Suites, located at Akin Osiyemi Street, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, was sealed for non-compliance with the agency’s directives.
Speaking on the enforcement operation, the General Manager of LASEPA, Mr Babatunde Ajayi, reiterated the organisation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment across Lagos State.
He stressed that both individuals and corporate organisations have a responsibility to comply with environmental laws and regulations, stressing that environmental protection remains a collective duty that requires the cooperation of all stakeholders.
The LASEPA boss warned that the agency would continue to intensify enforcement actions against violators in order to curb environmental nuisances and protect residents from the harmful effects of pollution.
Mr Ajayi urged residents, business owners, and operators of commercial establishments to adopt environmentally responsible practices and cooperate with regulatory authorities in promoting a healthier, cleaner, and more livable Lagos.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn