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Emotions Pour as Dignitaries Eulogise Late Herbert Wigwe

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Profile of 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.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Verto Launches $15,000 Global Award Prize for Businesses

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Verto Global Business Award

By Adedapo Adesanya

Verto, the global fintech powering enterprise-grade cross-border payments, FX, and banking solutions across emerging markets, has launched the Verto Global Business Award—a transformative initiative to recognize and accelerate the growth of early-stage startups.

The prize comes with a pool of up to $15,000 and will spotlight the most promising sector-agnostic startups with global potential, equipping them with the resources needed to scale, and expand into new markets, while building international supplier connections.

According to a statement shared with Business Post, “This initiative underscores Verto’s ongoing commitment to breaking down payment barriers and enabling seamless global trade.”

Starting on Thursday, February 6 2025, applications will open to early-stage startups, that have been operating for a maximum of two years in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. Winners will be selected based on their market impact, innovation, and business growth potential.

Eligible startups must demonstrate multiple market operations and connections with international suppliers, the organisers noted.

The winner, runner-up and second runner-up will be announced on 10th October 2025 and awarded $10,000, $3,000, and $2,000 respectively to accelerate their global expansion and streamline their cross-border operations.

Speaking on the launch of the Verto Global Business Award, Mr Ola Oyetayo, CEO and Co-Founder of Verto said, “The world today is more connected than ever, and for startups, access to global markets isn’t just an advantage – it’s a game changer. Payments are at the heart of this, and, at Verto, we’ve spent years breaking down financial barriers, enabling businesses to send and receive money effortlessly while connecting Africa and other emerging markets to the world.

“The Verto Global Business Award takes this a step further, equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs with the resources and global recognition they need to scale and compete on a global stage.”

The Verto Global Business Award is designed to help startups tap into this growth, fostering innovation and supporting businesses in Africa’s economic transformation.

Since its launch in 2017, Verto has remained at the forefront of facilitating cross-border transactions. With its cutting-edge technology, the company enables businesses of all sizes to make secure and seamless cross-border payments, convert between 50 currencies at competitive exchange rates, and instantly send and receive money in over 200 countries.

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Nigeria to Roll Out Contactless Passport Application in UK, Europe Friday

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Contactless Passport Application

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria will roll out a contactless passport application system in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Ireland on Friday, February 7, as part of making the process more transparent and faster.

According to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) via its spokesperson, Mr AS Akinlabi, the initiative will allow Nigerians in the Diaspora to apply for and renew their passports online from the comfort of their homes.

“This initiative set for launch on February 7, 2025, will enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to apply for and renew their passports online from the comfort of their homes,” the NIS Comptroller General, Ms Kemi Nanna Nandap, was quoted to have said in the statement.

This was disclosed when she paid a courtesy call to the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa in Abuja.

The NIS said the move followed “the roll-out of the contactless passport application system in Canada on 5th November 2024.”

“For emphasis, the Contactless Passport Application which is currently available on Google Play Store (NIS mobile), is designed to allow Nigerians to renew their passports without visiting any Passport Centre for biometric enrollment,” the NIS said.

“The Service reiterates its commitment to innovative and efficient service delivery to Nigerians anywhere in the world.”

“The launch of the contactless passport application solution in Europe is a significant step towards efficient, secure, and convenient travel document management for Nigerians in the diaspora,” Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said.

“NiDCOM will continue to support, monitor, and collaborate with the NIS to ensure the success of this initiative,” she added.

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Google Maps Clocks 20, Reveals Most Reviewed Locations in Nigeria

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Google Maps

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Google is celebrating the 20 years of the existence of one of its flagship applications, Google Maps, in February 2025.

Since its inception, Google Maps has been an essential tool for more than 2 billion monthly users, providing both comprehensive information and a vibrant community for sharing knowledge.

The application has fundamentally changed how we explore and navigate the world, shaping users’ understanding of the globe. Its rich and up-to-date information empowers users to confidently navigate, wherever their journey takes them.

“Google Maps has evolved from a basic mapping tool to a dynamic platform that helps people explore, navigate, and discover new experiences,” the Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Google West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, said.

The evolution of the tool has brought a wealth of features to enhance every journey. Need a little inspiration? Ask Maps, powered by Gemini, for curated ideas on where to go. Travelling? The “Directory” tab helps you explore what’s available in airports. Want to get your bearings quickly? Augmented reality allows you to understand an area at a glance. Even everyday tasks, like finding the cheapest petrol station nearby, are made easier with Google Maps.

In Nigeria, Google Maps has been instrumental in helping people discover new places and navigate with confidence.

To mark this 20th anniversary, Google is unveiling the top reviewed places in Nigeria, showcasing the locations that have captured the hearts of Nigerian users.

These lists offer fascinating insights into popular choices for restaurants, cafes, visitor attractions, parks, and museums across the country.

“The top reviewed locations in Nigeria highlight the places that have captured the interest and attention of our users,” Kola-Ogunlade added.

See below the top ten list of most searched places in Nigeria:

Most Reviewed  Restaurants

Mega Chicken

Farmcity Lekki lounge

Crush Cafe

Hard Rock Cafe

Domino’s Pizza, Wuse

Jevinik Restaurant

Cactus Restaurant

The Junkyard Grills

BluCabana Restaurant & Cafe

Domino’s Pizza, Yaba

Most Reviewed Cafe

Flowershop Cafe

Oliver’s Café

Salamander Cafe

Café de vie

Wood House Cafe

TOP BEANS. Coffee & more

Creamslices Cafe

Café Flour

Ketchup

Ark City Cafe And Grill

Most Reviewed Visitor Attractions

Dimplediva_scent

Oniru Private Beach

The Good Beach

New Berger Roundabout Ojodu Ikeja

Emir’s Palace Kano City

Rumuokoro Flyover

Railway Compound Ebute Meta Lagos

Abia Tower Round about Umuahia

Fela’s Shrine Ikeja

Idumagbo Junction Eyo Statue

Most Reviewed Park

City Park Abuja

Muri Okunola Park

Tinubu Square

Ndubuisi Kanu Park

Freedom Park Lagos

Johnson Jakande Tinubu (JJT) Park

Millennium Park

Shitta Roundabout Park

JD Leisure park

Trans-Amusement Park

Most Reviewed Museum

National Museum Benin City

kalakuta museum

National Museum Lagos

Open Heavens International Centre

OOPL

National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Kaduna.

AREWA House

Gidan Makama Museum

Sculpture Garden

National Museum of Unity

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