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Tinubu, calls Wigwe’s parents, Ghana’s President, Akufo-Addo too, as more condolences pour in
Reactions have continued to pour in from Nigeria and beyond, as sympathisers commiserate with Shyngle Wigwe and wife, the grieving parents of late Group Managing Director of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, who died in a helicopter accident last Friday in the United States of America.
Alongside President Bola Tinubu, President Nana Akufo-Ado of Ghana and Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa have also called in to offer their condolences on the death of the 57-year-old financial guru, who died of the desert of California, alongside his wife, Chizoba, son Chizzy, and former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo on their way to watch the Super Bowl.
Tinubu, it was gathered, spoke to Wigwe’s parents through Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede’s phone to commiserate with them and provided them very comforting words. The president made the call at 12.02pm, while Akufo-Ado called Aig-Imoukhuede at 3.17pm and both offered condolences on the passing of the great African Banker.
Equally, on Tuesday, former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; former Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II; Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; and former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, alongside other associates paid condolence visits to the parents of Herbert Wigwe.
Others, who signed the condolence register at the residence of the Wigwes in Lagos, were Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu; former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; former Director General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke; former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo; and former Minister of Petroleum, Don Etiebet.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, and his counterpart in Cross River State, Bassey Otu, in separate press statements, condoled with the management and staff of Access Holdings over the death of Herbert Wigwe.
In his tribute, Osinbajo wrote: “We lost a gem, a brother and a decent man. May the Lord comfort Daddy and Mummy. May the morning joy come quickly, while Sanusi, wrote: “Adieu my brother, my friend. What a tragedy. You are irreplaceable. We will miss you forever. Rest in peace.”
Emir of Zazzau, said: “A great personal loss to us. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” Amosun wrote, “Brother Herbert, goodbye. Good manager, adieu. May your soul rest in peace and may the good Lord comfort your aged parents, your siblings and the entire Wigwe family, adieu,” and Adebayo wrote, “This is a very sad and awful day.”
Okonkwho, FBN Holdings boss said: “What can I say, Herbert, you lived a life of impact. We can’t question God. Only He knows why He allowed this. RIP dear brother, while Anyoku was quoted by THISDAY, as saying: “Herbert was a great star, with a huge prospect of further illumination before he was plucked from the universe. It is a terrible loss in his sphere of activities, the banking sector, and to the country. I say adieu to him.”
Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive of Oando Plc, said: “Herbert was a first class guy, he was kind, courageous, intelligent and supportive and a loving gentleman. I worked with him from 1999, we did business, we met challenges and we fought them, and stayed true to our goals.
“It’s a great loss, he was very supportive to lots of charitable causes, helping people to pay their school fees, and their welfare. He was able to actualise his dream of the Wigwe University. His legacies are fundamental institutions that will really impact on the society.
“Access Bank is not just an African bank, it has branches in US, France, Dubai and in China. The fact is that Herbert has done a lot for African business community. So, his legacies are institutions that will endure.”
Zenith Bank, in a statement, condoling with the family of Herbert Wigwe, and describing him as an icon, said: “We mourn with the Wigwe family and Access Holdings on the sudden transition of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, and his son, Chizi.
“Dr. Wigwe was an inspiring leader devoted to positive change and human empowerment. He left indelible footprints not only as the Group CEO of Access Holdings, but also with his numerous contributions to the advancement of the financial services industry and growth of the Nigerian economy.
“In this trying period, we remember the values he lived by and his humble and generous nature that made him so dear to many. We reflect on the impact he had in the lives of others and thank God Almighty for the legacy he left behind. May the souls of Herbert, Chizoba and Chizi rest in the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
In a condolence message he personally signed, the Kogi State governor described the late CEO of Access Holdings as an amiable and hardworking individual, who was driven by patriotic fervour and commitment to the ideals of nation-building.
The governor recalled his recent meeting with the late Wigwe during which they had a robust conversation on how to explore areas of partnership between Access Holdings and the Kogi State government in line with his administration’s agenda to expand public-private partnership for accelerated growth and development of the state.
According to Ododo, “The late Herbert Wigwe was an exceptional individual whose impact transcended the banking industry and his generation. He was a humble and hardworking businessman who meant so well for the transformation of Nigeria and I am deeply saddened by his painful exit.
“As a government and people, our thoughts are with the Wigwe family who suffered far too many losses in one accident and all his colleagues at Access Holdings in this trying moment.
“Our thoughts are also with the government and people of Rivers State and my brother, Governor Siminalaye Fubara, for the irreparable loss of one of Nigeria’s most impactful businessmen, investor and a pathfinder for the younger generation. Nigeria and, indeed, humanity lost a colossus in Herbert Wigwe.”
The governor prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the late Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba, and other Nigerians who lost their lives in the unfortunate air accident.
Otu, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, expressed condolences over Wigwe’s tragic death alongside others in the helicopter accident.
The statement quoted Otu as saying, “I received with utmost shock and sadness the tragic death of one of Nigeria’s sterling bankers and business icons, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, alongside his wife, son and others aboard a helicopter in the United States.
“This a huge blow to the banking and financial sector, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa and the world.
“Dr. Wigwe was a shining example of industry, brinkmanship and dedication to all of humanity. Dying at a time when he was pioneering world class education through his Wigwe University is a devastating loss to this lofty dream and all who hoped on him.
“My deepest condolences to his family, his community, the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc., his friends and associates.
“As painful as this death is, Dr. Wigwe will be remembered for the impactful life he lived and his unflinching dedication to excellence.”
Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, (APC Niger East), expressed sadness over the tragedy.
In a statement he personally signed on Tuesday, Musa stated, “I am deeply saddened and devastated by the tragic news of the passing of my dear friend, Herbert Wigwe, CEO of Access Holdings, along with his wife and son, and another close friend, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of NGX Group. This loss is profoundly felt across the nation.
“I am down in spirit that we have to lose Herbert Wigwe this early in life. He was a man of integrity and strong conviction to work, he was a great personality and in his chosen career, he exhibited a high level of professionalism and unmatched leadership, which marked him out as a true patriot. He was a man who never believed in cutting corners to achieve success in business.
“He was a visionary, charismatic and transformational leader, who contributed significantly to the development of the banking industry in Nigeria and the economy at large.
“I wish to on behalf of my family and the people of Niger East Senatorial District offer our condolences to the Wigwe family, the Board and Management of Access Bank, the governor of Rivers State, the President and Commander-.in-chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria for losing such a great son, iconic entrepreneur a serial investor at such a time that our country needs his services the most.
“My heartfelt prayers are with Herbert, his beloved wife, his son, and all those who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash. May God grant them eternal rest and provide strength to Herbert’s family, Access Holdings, and all of us mourning this irreplaceable loss.”
Fuel marketers across Abuja on Wednesday continued to sell Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, at old prices more than 24 hours after Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a reduction in its ex-depot price, Vanguard is reporting.
The paper reported that its investigation, showed that major retail outlets were yet to adjust their pump prices despite the N75 per litre reduction announced by the refinery on Monday.
At the retail stations visited in Abuja, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Retail and TotalEnergies dispensed petrol at N1,335 per litre, while AA Rano sold at N1,350 per litre. AYM Shafa and Conoil outlets sold the product at N1,330 per litre.
The development comes amid growing public expectations that the reduction in Dangote Refinery’s gantry price would quickly translate into lower pump prices nationwide.
Explaining the delay, the President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, said retail prices are influenced by several factors beyond refinery gate prices.
Speaking to Channels TV, Gillis-Harry said: “Prices reflecting at the pump are dependent on availability of the product, the other is the cost. The cost of purchasing the product and cost in terms of logistics, and preparing the particular petroleum to be delivered to the people”.
According to him, downward price adjustments often take longer to reach consumers because marketers need to recover the cost of existing stock purchased at higher prices before restocking at lower rates.
When asked why increases in fuel prices are usually reflected immediately while reductions are delayed, Gillis-Harry said the dynamics of supply management play a significant role.
He explained: “It is mainly affected by whether the producer has additional resources or not at the time. Increases in prices are mainly caused by the need to restock. There must be that advantage pushing the price upward to be able to pay for new supplies.”
He further acknowledged that marketers generally seek to exhaust existing inventory before implementing lower prices.
“That’s the basic idea. But in petroleum, a mixture is involved, and loss is taken, though not in a way that affects the capital needed to restock,” he added.
Also speaking on the issue, energy analyst Olabode Sowunmi said fuel pricing in Nigeria is influenced by a combination of domestic supply arrangements and logistics costs, rather than crude oil prices alone.
He noted that although international crude oil prices remain an important factor globally, their impact on local petrol pricing is not always direct.
“Global price of crude oil is a factor internationally and not necessarily in Nigeria,” Sowunmi said.
Explaining that Dangote Refinery operates under arrangements that allow a portion of crude supply to be priced in naira, reducing the direct impact of international market fluctuations on local fuel prices, he said: “So basically the issue will have to be from the point of refinery to where it touches the final person. Logistics costs within the domestic supply chain remain a major determinant of the final pump price paid by consumers.”
Peter Obi, candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has given assignment to Nigerians to put all those aspiring to take up political positions in the country through the grill to ascertain their level of integrity, saying it was required as a sine qua non for the job they seek.
Obi, who has been a subject of discussion in the polity since the allegation of corruption was levied against him by Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesman of his campaign in 2023, over the conduct of the party’s primaries to choose candidates for the 2027 general elections, said the grilling must start with his own person.
A guest in an interview on a podcast with Rufai Oseni, a popular television anchor, the former Governor of Anambra State, stated that it was actually for this reason that he had now sworn to see the litigation he instituted against Okonkwo through.
His take is that the Nollywood actor should use the courtrooms to give all the details of bad behaviour, following his threat to expose him fully, after alleging that he was collecting money from aspirants in the said election for electoral favours.
Hear him: “The issue of taking Kenneth Okonkwo to court wouldn’t have arisen if he had stopped at those allegations. But he claimed he still has more he would expose about me in the future. So, I am very happy to take him to court so that he can expose me publicly, alongside other Nigerians. If any of them has any criminal allegations against me, they should bring them to court.
“Not just Kenneth, everybody should now say those things they know that is bad about me or I did that is wrong because it’s good for the system, it’s good for the society,” Obi said.
“So, if you know that when we were in primary school, this man was cheating or didn’t go to the primary school, didn’t go to secondary school, didn’t do, if you know this man has done something criminal somewhere, this is time to bring it up.”
For the umpteenth time, Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned about the dangerous implication of using state institutions, particularly the judiciary to destroy Nigeria’s democracy, saying it is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good.
Atiku, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), speaking on the heels of Tuesday’s verdict of the Court of Appeal, halting the de-registration order by the Federal High Court, insisted that judicial officers must not lend themselves to any act capable of undermining the nation’s democratic process.
The appellate court had ordered a stay of execution on the order made on Monday by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court Abuja, for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC alongside four other political parties).
A totally scandalised Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, had taken umbrage, sparing no hard words in upbraiding the lower court judge, stating that his likes were unfit to sit on the bench.
In a unanimous ruling by a three-man panel, the court held that Lifu’s action was “the highest form of judicial impertinence”, stressing that the Supreme Court previously held that a judge who acted in such a manner.
Describing his conduct as the height of judicial rascality, the upper court, stated: “Courts are enjoined to protect their integrity. This Court has supervisory authority over the trial court.
“The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution.
This court has the duty to invoke its powers in ensuring that its orders are obeyed. The application for a stay of execution is here yet granted. The enforcement of the judgment is stayed.”
Atiku, who hailed the position of the higher court, which restored his hope to be on the ballot as presidential candidate in the 2027 election, also noted the role of INEC as “significant.”
He said: “I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to stay the execution of the Federal High Court judgement seeking the deregistration of our great party, the ADC, and four other political parties. It is particularly significant that INEC itself initiated the application for the stay.
“The development reflects growing public concern over judicial contradictions and politically charged rulings within the judiciary. “Any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s hard-won democracy through judicial manipulation is a grave danger to the Republic. If our democracy suffers further injury, history will demand accountability from those entrusted with dispensing justice.
Outside ADC, Lifu’s order, also included: Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), similarly slammed for allegedly failing to meet the constitutional requirements for continued registration and participation in elections.
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