Herbert Wigwe, co-founder of Access Bank, Nigeria’s largest bank, has been laid to rest in his hometown of Isiokpo, Rivers State.
He, along with his wife and son, was among six individuals tragically killed in a helicopter crash in California last month.
The burial follows a week-long series of funeral rites held in Lagos, the country’s commercial hub, attended by prominent figures including Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.
During the memorial, Dangote expressed his sorrow, promising to name a road leading to his oil refinery after Wigwe, whom he described as a loyal friend and mentee.
Tributes poured in from around the globe, with a representative for French President Emmanuel Macron extending condolences, and Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima lamenting Wigwe’s untimely departure, likening it to a premature end before the season of bloom.
The helicopter was en route to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl when it crashed near Nipton, amid poor weather conditions with rain and snow showers reported.
Both pilots and a former president of the Nigerian stock exchange were also among the fatalities.
Wigwe, a significant figure in the banking sector, founded Access Bank in 1989, which became Nigeria’s largest bank in 2018 following the acquisition of its main competitor, Diamond Bank.
He had been actively expanding the bank’s reach across the continent, acquiring institutions in countries such as Kenya, South Africa, and Botswana.
Additionally, he was in the process of establishing Wigwe University, slated to open in September, signaling his commitment to education and furthering opportunities for learning.
President Bola Tinubu described Wigwe’s passing as “shocking beyond comprehension” at the time of his death.
Source-BBC
