Home Blog Page 767

APC’s First Witness At Edo Election Petition Tribunal Embarrasses Party Admits Over Voting

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
INEC Tenders BVAS Used in Edo Election

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Edo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Monday abruptly adjourned  proceeding  to Wednesday, February 12, 2025 to allow the All Progressive Congress, APC, rejig its witness presentation strategies .

The Source reports that the APC ,which is battling so hard to defend its victory in the September 21,2025 off-circle gubernatorial election  Monday suffered yet another setback following the admission of  over-voting by its first witness

Under cross examination ,Usman Majek ,who was called by the APC as its first witness ,when it formally opened  its defence, to the surprise of everyone in Court, admitted to incidents of over-voting at his polling unit in Usen ,Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state.

When shown the result sheet of his polling unit during the election by Counsel to Governor Monday Okpebholo, the witness, to the shock of the APC counsel and everybody in court ,admitted that despite endorsing the result as an agent, there was over- voting during the exercise.

For the records, Ovia South West Council is the home Council of the Deputy Governor, Chief Dennis Idahaso.

Instructively ,it is also one the Councils where the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, alleged heavy manipulation of figures by the Independent National Electoral Commission ,INEC, in favour of the APC.

The PDP and its candidate, Chief Asue Ighodalo, had rejected the outcome of the polls on the grounds that the number of votes declared were in excess of the number of accredited voters.

In its petition at the Tribunal, the PDP is calling for a reversal of the earlier result affirming the APC as the winner .of the elections.

As would be expected, the admission of  over-voting by its first witness, instantly sent shock waves across the rank of both APC and its legal team, a development which forced them to move for an adjournment.

Monday’s seemingly embarrassing scenario comes on the heels of last Thursday’s presentation of four additional BVAS Machines before the Tribunal by INEC officials called in by   APC as witnesses .

Earlier, the Electoral umpire, under subpoena had tendered 148 BVAS machines used for accreditation of voters during the election.

The admission of the BVAS, in evidence is seen by not a few as having the potentials to establish any discrepancies between the actual number of accredited voters and the result declared by INEC.

The admission of the BVAS machines has been unsettling to the APC which has so far been pushed into a somewhat tight corner in its task of defending its victory at the polls . APC’s First Witness At Edo Election Petition Tribunal Embarrasses Party Admits Over Voting

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Edo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Monday abruptly adjourned  proceeding  to Wednesday, February 12, 2025 to allow the All Progressive Congress, APC, rejig its witness presentation strategies .

The Source reports that the APC ,which is battling so hard to defend its victory in the September 21,2025 off-circle gubernatorial election  Monday suffered yet another setback following the admission of  over-voting by its first witness

Under cross examination ,Usman Majek ,who was called by the APC as its first witness ,when it formally opened  its defence, to the surprise of everyone in Court, admitted to incidents of over-voting at his polling unit in Usen ,Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state.

When shown the result sheet of his polling unit during the election by Counsel to Governor Monday Okpebholo, the witness, to the shock of the APC counsel and everybody in court ,admitted that despite endorsing the result as an agent, there was over- voting during the exercise.

For the records ,Ovia South West Council is the home Council of the Deputy Governor, Chief Dennis Idahaso .

Instructively ,it is also one the Councils where the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, alleged heavy manipulation of figures by the Independent National Electoral Commission ,INEC, in favour of the APC.

The PDP and its candidate, Chief Asue Ighodalo, had rejected the outcome of the polls on the grounds that the number of votes declared were in excess of the number of accredited voters.

In its petition at the Tribunal, the PDP

is calling for a reversal of the earlier result affirming the APC as the winner .of the elections.

As would be expected, the admission of  over-voting by its first witness, instantly sent shock waves across the rank of both APC and its legal team, a development which forced them to move for an adjournment.

Monday’s seemingly embarrassing scenario comes on the heels of last Thursday’s presentation of four additional BVAS Machines before the Tribunal by INEC officials called in by   APC as witnesses .

Earlier, the Electoral umpire, under subpoena had tendered 148 BVAS machines used for accreditation of voters during the election.

The admission of the BVAS, in evidence is seen by not a few as having the potentials to establish any discrepancies between the actual number of accredited voters and the result declared by INEC.

The admission of the BVAS machines has been unsettling to the APC which has so far been pushed into a somewhat tight corner in its task of defending its victory at the polls .

Ohaneze Youth Council President  With Us, Not Abducted – Police

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Ebonyi state Police Command on Monday, February, 10, 2025, denied allegations that its operatives kidnapped Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the President General of Ohaneze Youth Council, OYC.

The Source reports that Igboayaka was on Saturday February 8, declared abducted by gunmen  in Owerri, the Imo State Capital shortly after their Convention.

However, reports in the social media, early Monday accused the Ebonyi State Police Command of being responsible for the said abduction of  the OYC President.

The reports alleged that Operatives, working on directives from the Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, whisked away Igboayaka, minutes after he was declared victorious at the Convention of OYC held in Owerri.

According to reports, the order for his arrest and detention, followed an alleged statement credited to him in which he was said to have sounded a warning concerning the gruesome attack on the  Amegu Nkalaha Community a few days ago days back.

He was said to have issued the cautionary note on February 4, alerting to the imminent attack on Amegu by suspected armed herdsmen.

Similarly, the OYC President in the statement was said to have, also, accused the Ebonyi state Government of complacency in the face of the mounting threat from suspected herdsmen against communities in the State.

The Ebonyi State authorities were said to have  directed the  Police to effect Igboayaka’s arrest for him to explain all that he may know concerning the dastardly attack on Amegu which came in the wake of his (Igboayaka’s) alarm bell.

Reports claimed that the OYC President is presently in the custody of the Ebonyi State Police Command, after being allegedly abducted by operatives and ferried to Abakaliki, the State capital.

But in a statement on Monday, spokesperson for the Ebonyi State Police Command, Joshua Ukandu SP, insisted that Igboayaka was lawfully arrested by operatives.

According to him, his arrest followed a petition filed over allegation bordering on dissemination of false and misleading information capable of breaching public peace as well as distablizing communities in Ebonyi State.

Ukandu further stated that the Command is presently carrying out a thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against the OYC President by the petitioners.

He assured that  Igboayaka will be charged to Court as soon as findings are concluded.

Gov Sule Forwards 16 Names As Commissioner-Nominees

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa

By Ayodele Oni

Three women and two former state lawmakers were among those whose names were forwarded to the Nasarawa state House of Assembly on Monday for screening as commissioners.

The ex lawmakers are Umar Tunga and Mohammed Muluku—who are set to join the state executive council.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule,  submitted a list of 16 commissioner nominees to the state House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The move followed the governor’s dissolution of his cabinet on January 3.

The governor explained that the dissolution was aimed at appointing technocrats with proven expertise to enhance governance and service delivery in the state.

Announcing the nominations during Monday’s plenary in Lafia, Speaker Danladi Jatau directed the nominees to submit 30 copies of their Curriculum Vitae by Thursday and appear for screening on Monday next week.

LG Election Holds Next Week In Osun Despite Court Of Appeal Ruling – Chairman OSSIEC

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Osun state Independent Electoral Commission OSSIEC

By Ayodele Oni

Following a ruling by the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo state that the local government election conducted by the immediate past administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola was fully held, Osun state Independent Electoral Commission, (OSSIEC) has vowed to go ahead with another council poll as scheduled.

The election has been scheduled to hold on February 22.

The Court of Appeal on Tuesday struck out the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to challenge the conduct of Osun State local government election in 2022.

The Appellate Court ruled that the suit was speculative and filed before the Notice of election was issued by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).

The Federal High Court had delivered its judgment in the suit on the 25th November, 2022, nullifying the election and sacking the purported elected officials.

Reacting to the judgement, Hashim Akintunde Abioye, Chairman,

Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, told journalists in Osogbo that the council poll will still hold despite the Court of Appeal order.

“To this effect, there is no order returning any purported elected officials of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to office as there is no Order of any Court reinstating them to office.

“In particular, there is no Order of any Court stopping the conduct of the election already scheduled by the Commission to hold on 22nd February, 2025.

“In specific terms, the thirty (30) Local Government Areas in Osun State remain vacant till date as there is a substituting decision of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal against the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its purported candidates.

“Towards this end, I urge the public to remain calm and all political parties to go about their peaceful campaigns as we countdown to the D-day, that is 22nd February, 2025. All is set for the election to hold.”

Sad Day For Fubara As He Loses to  Amaewhule-Led Assembly At Supreme Court… Fined N4m

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Siminalayi Fubara - Governor of River State
Governor Similanayi Fubara

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is in for a difficult time. And, if not handled carefully, could face impeachment.

Th Supreme Court of Nigeria has thrown him under the bus. The Court on Monday, 10th February dismissed his appeal which  challenged the Court of Appeal’s judgement that affirmed Hon. Martin Amaewhule as the authentic Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly. The Court has thus, surrendered him to the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly to deal with as it likes.

At the Supreme Court Sitting, a five-member panel, headed by the Honourable Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the appeal marked SC/CV/1071/2024 after it was withdrawn.

Though the matter was originally fixed for hearing,  when it was called up, Governor Fubara, through his team of lawyers led by Yusuf Ali, SAN, announced his decision to withdraw the appeal.

Ali told the court that his client’s decision was based on the fact that the matter had been overtaken by events.

Whereas Wole Olanipekun, SAN, who appeared for the Amaewhule-led Rivers State lawmakers, did not oppose the withdrawal, he, however, demanded the cost.

Likewise, J. B. Daudu, who appeared for the 3rd to 12th defendants. He, also, asked for costs, even though he did not object to the notice of withdrawal.

The defendants further persuaded the Apex Court to dismiss the matter instead of striking it out, stressing that they had already exchanged processes with the appellant.

Consequently, in its ruling, the Justice Abba-Aji-led panel dismissed the appeal,  and awarded four million Naira as costs against Governor Fubara.

It will be recalled that the Appeal Court in Abuja had, in a unanimous verdict it delivered on October 10, 2024, validated the Amaewhule-led members of the Assembly as bona fide lawmakers for the state.

A three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Joseph Oyewole, while dismissing an appeal that was lodged by Governor Fubara, upheld a judgement the Federal High Court delivered on January 22, 2024, which nullified the 2024 budget of Rivers State on the premise that it was not presented before members of the State Assembly that were known to the law.

According to the appellate Court, Fubara shot himself on the foot when he voluntarily withdrew a counter-affidavit he filed to challenge a legal action the Amaewhule-led lawmakers instituted to be recognised as valid members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The Court held that Governor Fubara’s decision to present the 2024 Rivers State Appropriation Bill to only four out of 31 members of the Assembly amounted to a gross violation of section 91 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and an act of “executive recklessness.”

The Appellate Court held that the absence of any document from Fubara to contradict all the claims the Amaewhule-led lawmakers made in their suit meant that he admitted all the facts they stated in the matter.

It accused Fubara of surreptitiously attempting to set aside orders of the trial court through the appeal, saying the mistake he made by withdrawing his counter-affidavit to the originating suit could not be redeemed by brilliant advocacy.

Maintaining that Fubara’s loss was “self-inflicted,” the Appellate Court held that since the counter-affidavit was withdrawn, “the Appellant is deemed to have admitted the rather weighty facts that were presented by the Respondents.”

It will be recalled that the Rivers State Assembly was fractionalised owing to the frosty relationship between Governor Fubara and his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

In the heat of the fracas, Governor Fubara sidelined the Amaewhule-led 26 members of the House that were loyal to Wike and presented the state’s N800 billion 2024 budget before the four lawmakers led by Hon. Edison Ehie, who had emerged as a factional Speaker of the Assembly.

The Ehie-led faction, which had also declared seats of the Amaewhule-led pro-Wike lawmakers vacant for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party, promptly passed the budget, which was quickly assented to by Governor Fubara.

Meanwhile, following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, both Fubara and Wike signed a peace pact that included the restoration of Amaewhule as the bona fide Speaker of the State bonafide Speaker of the State Assembly.

The factional Speaker, Ehie, who had approached the Court and was joined as an interested party in the suit, subsequently withdrew all the processes he filed before the court and equally rescinded both his seat and his membership in the Assembly.

While Governor Fubara, in line with the terms of the peace deal, also withdrew all the processes he filed to challenge the suit, the pro-Wike lawmakers only withdrew an impeachment notice they served on him while they declined to terminate their legal action.

While deciding the suit, Justice James Omotosho of the high court held that the budget was invalid as it was not properly presented before the Rivers State House of Assembly as required by the law.

He held that Governor Fubara acted like a tyrant when he demolished the Rivers State Assembly complex and withheld funds standing to the credit of the legislative house.

Martin Amaewhule
Martin Amaewhule

The court also described as unconstitutional the redeployment of the clerk and deputy clerk of the Rivers State Assembly by Governor Fubara.

Justice Omotosho stressed that the governor lacked the statutory rights to interfere with the operations of the Assembly, adding that he acted in contempt of a subsisting order that barred the parties from taking any steps to overreach the matter that was pending before the Court.

Besides, the Court held that National Assembly could not take over the legislative affairs of the state in the absence of the preconditions that were listed under section 11 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Therefore, the Court, among other things, nullified all actions the Rivers Assembly took without the participation of the Amaewhule-led members of the House, among which included the presentation of the state’s appropriation bill.

It issued an order of injunction, restraining Governor Fubara from impeding or frustrating the operations of the Assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership as its speaker.

It ordered the governor to release all funds standing to the credit of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

While upholding the verdict of the lower court, the appellate court held that Fubara conceded to the Amaewhule-led lawmakers when he withdrew all the processes he filed against their suit.

It held that the orders of the trial court were appropriate in view of the circumstance of the case, saying the appeal Fubara filed before it amounted to an academic exercise.

Accordingly, it ordered Fubara to pay a cost of N500,000 to each of the Respondents in the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024.

For the records, the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly is backed by Fubara’s estranged political godfather and immediate predecessor, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Tradition: Oba Of Benin Set To Bury Mother 49yrs After Death

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0
Oba of Benin - EwuareII

By Benin Palace

“In keeping with Benin customs and tradition, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, will by the grace of God and, the royal ancestors perform in a private royal family ceremony, the funeral rites of his dear beloved mother, IYOBA OMO N’IKUOYEMWEN, IYOBA EWUARE II, who transited to eternal glory forty-nine years ago.

“For clarification purpose, in accordance with the Benin customs and tradition, the royal funeral rites could not be performed until the Edaiken (Crown Prince) ascends the throne, and crowned the OBA that the Oba had to first posthumously confer the title of Iyoba on his mother, and thereafter performs the funeral rites, hence the reason why it is taking place now.

“It will be recalled that His Royal Majesty conferred the Iyoba title posthumously on his dear mother on Sunday, 21st November, 2021.

“The first part of the ceremony will last for fourteen days. The second part begins with Ekasa immediately the first part ends. This will be the official mourning period.

“The ceremony will begin on 15th February, 2025 and ends on Friday, 28th February, 2025. The venue is Eguae Iyoba N’Uselu by 5 Junction, Benin City.

“Ekasa group will commence their ceremony on 1st March, 2025 till 27th March, 2025. The performance which will end on the last day, 27th March, 2025, would take place in the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“From the 15th, February, 2025, when the ceremony will begin, traditional coral beads will not be used in the Palace and in the Kingdom until the end of Ekasa ceremony which is March 27, 2025.″

Nnamdi Kanu Rejects Trial Before Nyako’s Court, Case Adjourned Indefinitely

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Nnamdi Kanu in Court

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous peoples of Biafra, IPOB, on Monday, February, 10, 2025, insisted on not standing trial before Justice  Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The Source reports that Kanu ,who has been standing trial on alleged terrorism related charges since 2021 when he was arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria, had on September, 24, 2024, urged the Judge to recuse herself from the case.

The IPOB leader cited lack of confidence in the ability of Justice Nyako to be fair in her handling of the matter.

Consequently, Justice Nyako opted to recuse herself from further adjudicating in the matter.

But in a sudden turn of events,  the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Abuja, Honourable Justice John Tsoho, directed the case file to be returned to Justice Nyako, citing improper application for the recusal request  as a major reason.

According to Justice Tsoho, Nnamdi’s application requesting for a recusal has to be written and formally filed before being considered.

At the resumed hearing on Monday,  Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s lead Counsel, reiterated the IPOB  leader’s earlier objection to being tried by Justice Nyako .

Ealier, the prosecution Counsel  Adegboyega Awomolo, had indicated his readiness for the commencement of the day’s proceedings.

Ejimakor, however, informed that his client has not shifted grounds on his decision not to continue standing trial before Justice Nyako.

“The defendant (Kanu) is still asking that your lordship recuse herself from this matter”, Kanu’s lawyer stated

Justice Nyako at this point reminded Kanu and his legal team the position of the Chief Judge who had earlier insisted on the filing of a written application to that effect.

Consequently, she ordered the defence team to file a written  application requesting her to recuse herself from the case.

Explaining, briefly what happened in Court in a post on X, Ejimakor said:

“Today’s ‘hearing’ of Onyendu MAZI NNAMDI KANU’s case is concluded. We stood our ground and told the Judge that she no longer possesses jurisdiction over MNK & that we appeared ‘under protest’. Onyendu took the stage & spoke eloquently.  Case adjourned sine die (indefinitely)”

2027 Realignment: Atiku, Fasawe Strategise With Obasanjo

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0
Atiku meets Obasanjo

The realignment of political leaders in the country has continued with the meeting, on Monday, of the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The high powered meeting which took place at the Obasanjo Presidential Library, Ota Ogun state also had in attendance, some trusted associates of the former Nigerian leader including Chief Oyewole Fasawe, Liyel Imoke, a former Minister of power and former governor of Cross Rivers state.

Also at the meeting was the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, a former Governor of Sokoto state.

According to sources privy to the meeting, it was convened by the political leaders to discuss the state of the nation, particularly, the 2027 general elections in the country.

Even though they did not give details, two of the sources said the country is currently at a cross road, and required that leaders put heads together to prevent the country from drifting further.

“Atiku came to Ota to see the former president over what is going on in the country. Nobody seems to be happy, the hardship has become too unbearable for Nigerians,” a source said.

“it was a close door meeting, but one thing is sure, the leaders met over the current development in the country. What you cannot rule out is that Obasanjo is s respected statesman in the country, so, from time to time, politicians across the country come to consult with him on key national issues,” another source said after the meeting.

The magazine had reported that, a stalwart of the NNPC and former Governor of Kano state, Musa Kwakwanso had  a close door meeting with a former governor of Osun state, Rauf Aregbesola in Lagos at the weekend, in what has been described, by analysts,  as realignment of forces ahead the 2027 general elections.

Aregbesola, a former Minister of the Interior recently dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, amidst the irreconcilable difference with his former party and the president.

Double Tragedy: Actress, Tolu Adegboyega Dies With Her Kid

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Actress Tolu Adegboyega

By Akinwale Kasali

Tolu Adegboyega, a famous Actress, known for her outstanding performance and her good interpretation of her role as Flora in the Abbatoir Movie Series is dead.

The deceased, who acted only religious films, had been battling for her life since December 26, 2024, following a ghastly vehicle accident that led to the death of one of her twins.

She had remained in the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital since the accident.

She had two surgeries in an effort to save her. Sadly, she lost the battle to death.

Her passing has left a deep void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the gospel film community. They remember her for her impactful performances and unwavering faith.

The Gospel Movie Industry is devastated at the moment as they are yet to come to terms with the passing of the Actress.

Burial arrangements  are yet to be announced by the family. The Gospel Film Industry is yet to issue a Press Statement on the death of one of their best hands.

Tribute: Building Legacies: Herbert Wigwe’s Impact on African Banking

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0
Access Bank Wigwe

By Abimbola Richard

Herbert Wigwe was more than a banker—he was a visionary, who reshaped Africa’s financial landscape. As a major driving force behind Access Bank’s transformation into a global powerhouse, he revolutionised corporate banking, championed financial inclusion, and set new standards for excellence. Under his leadership, Access Holdings became a model of resilience, innovation, and expansion, solidifying its place as one of Africa’s most formidable financial institutions.

One year after his passing, his legacy remains deeply woven into the fabric of the banking sector. His contributions extended beyond financial growth—he redefined what it meant to build a sustainable, customer-centric, and globally competitive African bank.

From Humble Beginnings to a Banking Giant

When Herbert Wigwe and his longtime business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, acquired Access Bank in 2002, it was a struggling institution with limited market presence. Many doubted their ability to turn it around, but they saw an opportunity where others saw failure. Their goal was audacious: to transform Access Bank into a top-tier financial institution in Africa.

Through strategic planning, relentless execution, and a commitment to excellence, the duo embarked on an ambitious growth trajectory. In just over a decade, they took Access Bank from being the 65th-largest bank in Nigeria to one of the top five. This remarkable turnaround set the stage for an era of unprecedented expansion, with Wigwe at the helm.

Expansion Across Africa and Beyond

One of Wigwe’s defining achievements was his ability to expand Access Bank’s footprint beyond Nigeria. Under his leadership, the bank successfully entered multiple African markets, acquiring key banking assets across the continent.

Notable acquisitions by the bank included:

  • Intercontinental Bank (2012):This landmark merger positioned Access Bank as a top-tier bank in Nigeria, significantly increasing its market share and customer base.
  • Diamond Bank (2018):This bold acquisition propelled Access Bank into the retail banking space, creating Nigeria’s largest bank by customer base.
  • Expansion into Southern and East Africa:Under Wigwe’s leadership, Access Bank expanded into countries like South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, and Zambia, reinforcing its Pan-African presence.

These moves were not just about growth, they were strategic steps toward financial inclusion, ensuring millions of Africans had access to banking services.

Pioneering Financial Inclusion and Digital Banking

Herbert Wigwe recognised that for Africa to thrive, financial services needed to be accessible to the underserved. He championed financial inclusion initiatives that bridged the gap between traditional banking and technology-driven solutions.

  • Introduction of Agency Banking:Wigwe led Access Bank’s push into agency banking, bringing financial services to rural and underserved communities through partnerships with local entrepreneurs.
  • Advancement in Digital Banking:He invested heavily in technology, ensuring Access Bank stayed ahead of digital transformation. From mobile banking apps to AI-powered customer service, the bank became a leader in fintech solutions.
  • SME Development Programmes:Understanding the crucial role of small businesses in Africa’s economy, Wigwe launched initiatives that provided funding, mentorship, and training for SMEs.

These innovations empowered millions, reinforcing Access Bank’s reputation as a bank that cared about people, not just profits.

CACOVID: A Lifeline During the Pandemic

One of Wigwe’s most profound contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape was his leadership in the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID)—a private-sector initiative established to combat the devastating impact of the pandemic.

As one of CACOVID’s driving forces, Wigwe mobilized Access Bank’s resources to support healthcare infrastructure, provide relief materials, and offer financial assistance to businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic. The coalition donated billions of naira to equip hospitals, provide personal protective equipment (PPE), and support vaccination campaigns.

Beyond financial assistance, CACOVID, under Wigwe’s leadership, also worked to reduce food insecurity by distributing palliatives to millions of Nigerians across all 36 states. His contributions exemplified his belief that banks should play an active role in nation-building, not just profit-making.

Revitalising Nigeria’s National Arts Theatre

Wigwe’s vision extended beyond finance into cultural preservation and national development. One of his most ambitious projects was the revitalisation of the National Arts Theatre in Lagos, an iconic cultural landmark that had suffered decades of neglect.

As part of a public-private partnership, Access Bank led a group of Nigerian banks in financing the multi-billion-naira restoration project, transforming the historic structure into a world-class creative hub for music, film, fashion, and technology.

This initiative was deeply personal for Wigwe. He believed that Nigeria’s creative economy had the potential to rival global industries if given the right infrastructure and support. His commitment to the project underscored his broader mission: empowering Nigeria’s youth and fostering sustainable economic growth beyond traditional banking.

Navigating Challenges and Ensuring Stability

Banking in Africa comes with unique challenges: economic downturns, regulatory hurdles, and currency fluctuations. Yet, under Wigwe’s leadership, Access Bank thrived amid adversity.

  • Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic:While many financial institutions struggled, Access Bank remained stable, supporting businesses and individuals through tailored relief programs.
  • Strengthening Risk Management:Wigwe prioritised robust risk management frameworks, ensuring Access Bank maintained financial stability even in turbulent times.

Wigwe’s ability to anticipate challenges and develop proactive solutions cemented Access Bank’s position as a leader in African banking.

A Visionary Leader Gone Too Soon

Herbert Wigwe’s untimely passing in February 2024 left a void in the financial sector. However, his legacy continues to inspire all and sundry. His boldness, strategic thinking, and relentless drive changed the course of African banking forever.

With the first anniversary, it is essential that Access Holdings and the broader financial community find meaningful ways to honor his contributions.

A Legacy That Lives On

Herbert Wigwe was not just a banker; he was a builder of institutions, a pioneer of transformation, and a mentor to many. His work at Access Holdings was never just about profits, it was about impact, empowerment, and lasting change.

  • His leadership turned Access Bank into an African banking giant.
  • His passion for financial inclusion brought banking to millions.
  • His commitment to sustainability ensured a better future for the next generation.
  • His dedication to national development revitalised institutions like the National Arts Theatre.
  • His humanitarian spirit helped millions during the COVID-19 pandemic through CACOVID.

Though he is no longer here, his blueprint for African banking remains. His story serves as a reminder that true success is not about the size of the bank account, but the depth of the impact one leaves behind.

Herbert Wigwe built more than a bank—he built a legacy. And that legacy will stand the test of time.

  • Abimbola Richard writes from Abuja.
1...766767768...2,969Page 767 of 2,969