Christopher Kolade, Chagoury Brothers, NGX Visit Wigwe, Ogunbanjo’s Families

Former Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade and the Lebanese-Nigerian business moguls, Gilbert and Ronald Chagoury, representatives of the Board and Management of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) paid condolence visits to the families of Wigwe and the late Abimbola Ogunbanjo.

Other dignitaries that visited the family were, former senator representing Rivers south-east, Magnus Abe, and the Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General Immigration (ACG), K.A Sadiq.

Dr. Christopher Kolade was led into the house by some family members. They all expressed grief over the tragic death of Wigwe, in a helicopter crash in the United State.

Wigwe was killed alongside his wife and son in the crash while travelling from California to Nevada.

Speaking with journalists, Abe said despite having achieved so much in life, Wigwe was till his death a humble Port Harcourt boy.

“There’s a lot one can say about Herbert. But what I think is obvious to everybody on the continent of Africa, is that he has actually become one of the giants of the financial industry, in our time.

“And the most interesting thing about Herbert is that while he achieved all these things, he was still a simple Port Harcourt boy.

“He was part of everything we did in Port Harcourt, he takes everybody’s calls, he is in touch with everybody, he is still part of the network.

“So it’s just an amazing character for such a young man to climb so high. And yet everybody still sees you as one of the boys and part of the home crowd. I think that’s the most amazing thing about him,” he said.

In his tribute, Sadiq wrote: “Herbert and his family rest with the Lord. May God grant the Wigwe family the strength to bear this loss. May affiliation not come to the family again.

“May the grace of almighty God be with the aged parents, children, family and friends at this great and painful moment. On behalf of the  Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs. Wura-Ola Adepoju, accept our condolences.”

The NGX Board  was led by its Group Chairman,  Alhaji (Dr) Umaru Kwairanga. The delegation included representatives from Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Association of Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, and NG Clearing.

Expressing deep condolences to the Ogunbanjo family, Kwairanga highlighted  Ogunbanjo’s esteemed leadership in the capital market, emphasising his kindness and humility.

Group CEO of NGX Group, Temi Popoola acknowledged his significant impact on the Nigerian capital market and his transformative leadership during his tenure as Council President of the Exchange and the first Group Chairman of NGX Group.

Outgoing Group CEO, Oscar Onyema, mourned the loss, stating: “It is a very painful loss, and only God can grant this family the strength to bear this loss.”

The CIS president, Oluwole Adeosun, remembered Ogunbanjo as a dependable and trustworthy supporter of the institute, while Haruna Jalo-Waziri, CEO of CSCS, described him as a good man to the core.

CEO of NGX Regulation Limited (NGX RegCo), Tinu Awe, consoled the Ogunbanjo family, sharing tales of the wonderful times they had shared and noting how irreplaceable he was in their lives.

The visit also extended to the Wigwe family, where Kwairanga conveyed the capital market’s shock and pledged ongoing support.

He acknowledged him not just as a corporate mogul but also as a renowned philanthropist committed to community service and the progress and development of the nation.

“Dr. Wigwe played a pivotal role, bringing his exceptional passion, energy, and expertise to the transformation of Access Bank and the financial sector,” he said.

Chairman of Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede, expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment of Wigwe’s contributions and pledged to uphold his legacy.

Wale Igbintade and Kayode Tokede

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