The founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Atedo Peterside, has described the late Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, as a man whose influence was felt beyond the financial services sector.
Peterside said this on Tuesday in a tribute he wrote on Anap Jets FTZ letterhead, where he is the chairman, just as Wigwe’s family announced the burial plans for the late banker; his wife, Chizoba and their son, Chizi.
Wigwe died in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, United States of America in early February.
He died alongside his relatives and the former Nigerian Exchange chairman, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
Paying tribute to Wigwe’s memory, Peterside 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 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.”
Meanwhile, the burial programme revealed that there would be a celebration of the professional legacy of the late GCEO of Access Holdings in Lagos on March 4, followed by individual celebrations for his relatives.
Thereafter, a combined service of songs will be held on March 7 at the RCCG, Resurrection Parish, Lekki.
Events will then move to Rivers State, where a wake-keep will be held at the Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State.
The funeral service will be held on March 9 and, afterwards, the remains of the deceased will be buried.
An outing service at the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Lion of Judah Parish, Isiokpo, Ikwerre LGA on March 10 will conclude the burial programme.
