A Tribute: The Herbert Wigwe I Knew

Herbert was sharp, smart, brilliant, humane and compassionate. Our paths crossed in many ways. We were both Executive Directors at our respective banks at a point.

When I assumed office as the 19th President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Nigeria (CIBN), Dr Seye Awojobi, the Registrar/CEO of CIBN and I paid an introductory visit to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the time, Mr Godwin Emefiele. We visited him at the CBN Lagos Office and one of the CBN Deputy Governors, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, now the Federal Government Minister of Power, was also in attendance. The first issue we attended to and sorted out was the chairmanship of the Body of Bank CEOs, as Mr Segun Agbaje, the CEO of GTB had just completed his tenure. We gladly agreed on Mr Herbert Wigwe to step into the position.

Herbert served in this capacity as the Chairman of the Body of Bank CEOs with dignity, passion, commitment, discipline and his tenure was value laden.

I recall the number of trips we made together to Abuja (CBN, NNPC, the Presidency) in 2016 to sort out issues on behalf of the Industry and I believe, at his expense. The economic recession was biting hard and there was a need for consensus ad idem between the bankers and the government. Herbert stood firmly with the CIBN to lead those engagements.

Herbert devoted all within his arsenal to serve. He was always just a phone call away and he mediated well among all the various stakeholders. Access Bank under his leadership, was one of the first set of banks to buy into the Institute’s campaign for corporate sponsorship of their staff as members and for examinations. Under him, Access Bank adopted the CIBN/Bank Academy Template without any hesitation. He was also remarkably supportive when the CIBN hosted the 21st World Conference of Bankers in 2017 and this made many of his colleagues on the Body of Bank CEOs Platform to follow suit. Herbert’s love for education and empowerment was amply demonstrated by his support for related programmes in the CIBN. He was a pillar of support for the Institute, concerning the newly berthed competency framework for the banking industry among other initiatives too.

When I paid my last visit to the then CBN Governor in April 2018, he asked me about the performance of Herbert. My response was that Herbert had served excellently and was deserving of a second term and I went on to admonish Herbert to continue with the good work. I was made to understand that he did.

This is one loss too many but unfortunately, that is the reality of life. Vanity upon vanity. Herbert departed without notice despite his famed compassionate and humane disposition. News says he exited with his wife and son? Hmmm!!! Who is next? Like Herbert himself rightly wrote in a recent social media message, we would all be counted wise to adhere to Psalm 91:12 in the Good Book – ‘Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

If this is the reality of life, then it is a reminder to us all. Everything in life is just for a while. Our exit is imminent. Just a matter of when,? We should live our lives full of godliness and humanity. An administrator today will become an ex- administrator tomorrow (apologies to the late Ukpabi Asika). What matters is NOT the years in a man’s life, but the life that is in his years.

At this time, we can only pray for God in His infinite mercies to console the remaining children, his aged parents, the RCCG family and the banking and finance industry. And may God do the same for the family and loved ones of Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group who also lost his life in this tragic accident. I am well aware that Herbert had numerous mentees, counsellees, supervisees, and many others who looked up to him for leadership and for sponsorship. He told me about his love for education when we invited him to be the Convocation Guest Lecturer at Caleb University, Lagos in 2016, where I was the Dean for Post-Graduate Studies at the time. During our private chat, he also talked about his desire to set up a University. Wigwe University is now berthed and getting ready to take off. His exit is also a great loss to academia.

Adieu Herbert. May the good Lord grant the repose of your soul.