The 14th Emir of Kano State, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has disclosed that he entrusted his life saving to the care of the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who died in a plane crash alongside his wife and son in California in February.
Sanusi spoke at the night of tributes organised in Wigwe’s honour in Lagos on Wednesday, being part of the weeklong burial rites for the fallen business icon.
Recounting his sojourn with the late Wigwe, Sanusi, who broke down in tears thrice, also recalled how the late banker came to his rescue when he was dethroned and needed a place for him and his family to stay.
He said he entrusted his life savings to Wigwe because he (Sanusi) thought he was going to die before the late banking giant.
“About two years ago, I put all my savings into a Trust for the education of my children. I have many and my priority as a father is to make sure that when I pass away, they will have a good education.
“I told Herbert, ‘I am placing you in charge of this Trust for the education of my children because I know that even if I die and do not leave any money, you will educate my children.
“I thought I would die before Herbert”, he lamented.
Sanusi, who was comforted by the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, Aig-Imoukhuede and an aide as a result of his failure to control the tears which continued to flow, added that because of the level of kindness Wigwe accorded him, many believed he owned Access Bank, while he (Wigwe) and Aig-Imoukhuede were his proxies.
“On the day before this happened, I was on a chat group when somebody made a few remarks about Herbert that I found offensive and I defended Herbert. I made my point very clear that this was unacceptable.
“A few days after Herbert died; a friend called me and sent me a message. He sent a message to Herbert at about 3:20 am that morning (the day of the crash), telling him how I had stood up and defended him and forwarded my entire message to him.
“Herbert replied at 3:28 am with one word ‘unbelievable’. He sent another message at 3:50 which was not delivered. From the presentation from the air traffic controllers, the crash happened at 3:30. So possibly, the last thing Herbert read was my message talking about him,” he added.
Among other respected dignitaries who were in attendance were Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, Aigboje Aig- Imoukhuede, Chairman Coronation Group, Henry Imasekha, Chairman/CEO – Berkeley Group Plc, among others.
