Oyebanji Mourns Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe.

Oyebanji Mourns Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe.

.….Says Ekiti lost a friend, strategic partner, supporter.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed condolences on the death of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Limited, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, who died in an helicopter crash in the United States of America on Friday.

Wigwe, 57, was reported to have died alongside his wife, son and three others in the chopper crash around the California-Nevada border in the United States.

Governor Oyebanji in a statement on Sunday, signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, described the death of Mr. Wigwe, his spouse and son as a monumental tragedy for Nigeria.

Governor Oyebanji described the late Wigwe as a great friend of Ekiti State and a strategic partner and supporter of the state’s development programme. 

Oyebanji described the late Access Holdings CEO as a phenomenal philanthropist, who served humanity eminently with his time, talent and resources and would be remembered for the impact he made on the lives of the people as much as his notable contributions to the development of the nation’s financial sector. 

He prayed God to grant the Wigwe family and the Access Holdings the equanimity to bear the loss and also grant the families of other victims of the crash the fortitude to bear the huge loss of their loved ones.

The Governor said Mr. Wigwe made lasting and unforgettable impact during his earthly sojourn, urging all his proteges to build on his legacies of service and innovativeness as a way to immortalize him.

“It is indeed a sad and devastating news, a tragedy of immense proportion not only to the Wigwe family and the Access Holdings which he headed, but to us in Ekiti State, where he was regarded as a great friend and supporter of our development programme; and Nigeria where he was a shinning star and an icon in the financial sector. 

“Our hearts and prayers are with the Wigwe family and to the families of the late Abimbola Ogunbanjo and others who died in the ill fated flight. We pray that the Lord will comfort the entire families, much more than words can.”, the statement added.

Edo PDP moves to reconcile aggrieved aspirants.

Edo PDP moves to reconcile aggrieved aspirants.

The Peoples Democratic Party has commenced a reconciliation process among all the aggrieved aspirants of the Edo State Governorship election as part of its efforts to emerge victorious on September 21, 2024.

The PDP had earlier on January 30, cleared all the 10 screened aspirants including the state Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu, a former Chairman of Sterling Bank, Asue Ighodalo, and the daughter of Esama of Benin Kingdom, Blessing Igbinedion, for the state party’s governorship primaries scheduled for February 22.

Other aspirants are Anselm Usiose Ojezua, Felix Akhabue, Martin Uhomoibhi, Umoru Hadizat, Osaro Osaze Onaiwu, Arthur Esene and Omoregie Ihama.

Although Governor Godwin Obaseki had been at loggerheads with his deputy over the party’s governorship ticket, the crisis became more complicated when the chairman of the three-man committee, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who was supposed to conduct the party’s state delegate election, resigned from the position.

On February 4, nine aspirants out of the 10 that would participate in the primary election were said to have boycotted the election which took place all over the state last Sunday. The nine aspirants in their letter to the acting National Chairman, Umar Illiya, and copied to the National Vice Chairman South-south of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, protested the process and compositions of those to conduct the delegates election.

The aspirants, in a petition signed by the Shuaibu and Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama among others, demanded the cancellation of the state delegate election.

A chieftain in the PDP National Working Committee told Sunday PUNCH that some party leaders are already reaching out to aspirants and stakeholders for the party to go into the election united.

The source, who spoke anonymously, said the first reconciliatory meeting of all aspirants and stakeholders would take place after the primaries, while some party leaders had been tasked to reach out and pacify as many aspirants as possible to embrace peace in the state.

Meanwhile, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday disclosed that the party leadership would receive all committee reports and meet with aspirants to enhance peace among party members.

Edo 2024: APC clears all 12 governorship aspirants.

Edo 2024: APC clears all 12 governorship aspirants.

Ahead of the February 17 shadow election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, its National Gubernatorial Aspirants Screening Committee has cleared all the 12 governorship aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket for the September state governorship election.

Prof. Taoheed Abdul Adedoja-led 7-man screening committee on Friday night after a two-day screening exercise gave all the aspirants a clean bill to contest Saturday party’s primary.

APC National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammadu Arugungu on Saturday presented all the cleared aspirants with Certificate of Screening clearance at the party National Secretariat in Abuja.

The aspirants cleared include former Minister of State, National Economic Planning, Prince Clem Agba; Senator Monday Okpebholo, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District; former deputy governor, Hon. Lucky Imasuen; member representing Etsako Federal Constituency, Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri; former APC governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Andrew Ize-Iyamu and Engr. Gideon Ikhine.

Others cleared are the immediate past APC state chairman, Col. David Onabure Imuse; former Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Major. General Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd); former governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; former Zonal Organising Secretary (South-South), Dr. Blessing Agbohmere; member representing Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency, Hon. Dennis Idahosa; and Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe.

All the aspirants but Prof. Osunbor who was represented by his wife, Lady Ussieh Osunbor were presented to receive their certificates.

Assuring the aspirants of a free, fair, transparent shadow election on Saturday, February 17, the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Hon. Nze Chidi Duru told the aspirants that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) remains the only clearing house for all the processes for the election.

According to Duru, “We (NWC) are working closely with the state acting chairman of the party. We will brief him constantly on the steps being taken by the NWC to ensure free, fair, and transparent primaries in the state. Where you are in doubt, please feel free and make a call to the state chairman. If you cannot reach him, you can call on the national organising secretary or myself to answer any questions at any point in time.”

He also advised the aspirants to acquaint themselves with a schedule of activities towards the conduct of the party’s primary.

Earlier the Chairman of the Screening Committee, Prof. Adedoja who was represented by Hon. Adeoye Adelakun said the committee after scrutinising the expression of interest and nomination forms along with all the backup documents, found all the aspirants worthy to contest the party’s primary.

Commending the NWC and the screening committee for a thorough job so far, the acting state chairman of the party, Hon. Harriet Tenebe said the party was ready for both the primary and the state election in September.

Tenebe also refuted rumour of differences between the State Working Committee (SWC) and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the leader of the party in the state.

“We don’t have any difference with our leader, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. He is our leader in the state. The leader of the party. We are working together. Everything you see here today, he is aware. So there are no cracks in the wall.’

Food crisis: States in anxious wait for FG’s grain allocations.

Food crisis: States in anxious wait for FG’s grain allocations.

The 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are eagerly awaiting the delivery of the 102,000 metric tons of grains pledged last week by President Bola Tinubu for the purpose of ameliorating the current high food prices.

The ministry will, in the first instance, release about 42,000 metric tons of maize, millet, garri, and other commodities in its strategic reserve for distribution to the states.

A senior official of the ministry told The Nation on the phone yesterday that the matter was being treated with “utmost urgency” with a view to easing the suffering of the generality of Nigerians.

But the sharing formula of the items was not available last night.

 “We are very sure that the release of 42,000mt of grains from the National Strategic Grain Reserve as well as release of 60,000mt of rice by the Rice Miller’s Association at a subsidised rate will be immediate,” the official said.

He added: “The minister has given his word that we cannot waste time on the distribution, but he is in the best position to tell us when it will commence.

 “This is in response to the nation’s growing food crisis and the rising cost of commodities, and it has to be immediate.”

The Director, National Strategic Grain Reserve, Engr. Sule Haruna, who was also contacted, said there were enough grains in reserve to be released as directed by the President.

He said: “We are ready. Once we are given approval, we will commence and it will be done in a transparent way.”

Information and National Orientation Minister, Mohammed Idris, said the President’s directive was part of the government’s short-term measure to address the high cost of food.

Idris warned that the government would sanction hoarders of food items, noting that emergencies require emergency measures to ensure the availability of food to Nigerians.

 He also said the government would embark on importation to plug any shortfall that might be experienced after the release of the food items.

On February 6, the presidential committee on emergency food intervention met at the Presidential Villa in Abuja over the rising cost of living in the country.

Ekiti Commissioners, Special Advisers face first performance review March.

Ekiti Commissioners, Special Advisers face first performance review March.

Commissioners, Special Advisers, and other political appointees serving in the cabinet of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji will face their first performance assessment in March, 2024.

The Ekiti State government will begin the first assessment of the performance of all the Commissioners, Special Advisers, and other key appointees serving in the cabinet of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in March.

Special Adviser, Office of Transformation Dr. John Moyo Ekundayo disclosed this at a one-day pre-assessment briefing of cabinet members as well as accounting officers held at the popular Lady Jibowu, Government House, Ado-Ekiti.

Ekundayo said the briefing was aimed at exposing the cabinet members and top echelon of the state’s civil service to the performance assessment metrics upon which they would be evaluated.

He said the assessment would be conducted every six months based on their job descriptions to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

He said that such appraisal had become necessary for the effective and efficient delivery of the six strategic actionable pillars of the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration’s targets to improve the livelihoods of Ekiti people.

According to him, the periodic evaluation will ascertain the status of implementation of the administration’s shared prosperity agenda through the six thematic priority areas of focus, identify bottlenecks, and proffer immediate solutions.

He said “I am in alignment with Governor Oyebanji that in the best interest of the people of Ekiti state, the Public Service should continuously showcase results and achievements instead of efforts and intentions, hence the need to evaluate the performance of the participants in this meeting.

We are convinced that for our transformation agenda to gain traction, there must be a forensic assessment and in-depth appraisal of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that the assessment exercise seeks to explore, moreso that the present administration is now more determined to turn around the fortune of the people of our dear Ekiti State.  

Giving the reports of monitoring exercises to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oyebanji on Monitoring and Evaluation, Adetunji Aribasoye bemoaned the low compliance to the Transformation Tidbits.

Aribasoye who canvassed for the systemic recording of correspondences including memos and emails, charged the Heads of MDAs to adjust their modus operandi in conformity with Governor Oyebanji’s administration’s shared prosperity agenda.

Oyebanji tasks universities on producing solution providers.

Oyebanji tasks universities on producing solution providers.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has called on universities in the country to prioritize research efforts aimed at tackling critical challenges confronting this nation as well as producing graduates who are solution providers. 

Governor Oyebanji, made the call on Saturday at the 8th convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, stressing the need for institutions to produce graduates equipped with the skills and mindset to tackle the pressing problems of the country head-on.

Governor Oyebanji, at the event which was attended by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and other eminent personalities, justified the importance of nurturing a generation of problem solvers poised to drive sustainable development. He urged universities to revamp their curricula to emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and entrepreneurship that could provide solution to the problems of this country.

Emphasizing the urgent need for homegrown solution to Nigeria’s divers’ challenges, Oyebanji stressed the importance of equipping students with practical skills and a real-world experience through hands-on learning and industry partnership. 

While commending the University for their numerous achievement in about eight years of establishment, the Governor said “I have watched with keen interest the phenomenal growth of this university from 5,041 students to 51,000 in less than eight years as well as the quality of scholarship in the institution. 

He congratulated the graduands and charged them to take the advantage of the training and learning they have acquired to contribute their quota to the society. 

The Governor assured that his government will continue to collaborate with the institution for greater development and growth of the school. 

“As a government, we will continue to collaborate with this institution but I plead with you sir, university must put a lot of emphasis on research, we must produces solution providers, people that will help to solve the problem of this country” the Governor asserted  

The highpoint of the event was the conferment of honourary degree of the university on three eminent personalities which include Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele; Senator Solomon Adeola, and Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu. 

While Senator Opeyemi Bamidele was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Public laws, Senator Solomon Adeola was conferred with Doctor of Accounting and Rt Hon Yusul Adamu, Doctor of Political science.

Speaking on behalf of the honourees, the Senate majority leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele said they valued the honour conferred on them by the university and expressed their profound appreciation for the recognition bestowed upon them

He said the honorary degree conferred on them serves as testament to their dedication, achievement, and commitment to excellence in their respective fields.

Fayemi Mourns Tragic Passing of Herbert Wigwe and Others in Helicopter Crash.

Fayemi Mourns Tragic Passing of Herbert Wigwe and Others in Helicopter Crash.

Dr Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF has mourned the passing of Herbert Wigwe, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc. 

Wigwe, his wife and son, as well as the family’s friend Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) were reported to have died in a helicopter crash in the US on Friday.

Fayemi said the death of Wigwe and others were shocking and a great loss to the country, describing the late banker as a visionary leader in Nigeria’s financial sector, whose leadership transformed Access Bank into one of the largest and most respected financial institutions on the continent. 

Beyond his business acumen, Fayemi said, Wigwe was a kind and compassionate individual who touched the lives of countless people through his philanthropy and generosity. 

Excerpts from the statement: 

‘’It is with sadness and a heavy heart that I learned of the untimely passing of Herbert Wigwe, his wife, their son, and friend Abimbola Ogunbanjo in a tragic helicopter accident.

‘’I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims during this extremely difficult time.

‘’Wigwe was a business leader who helped transform Access Bank into one of the largest and most respected financial institutions in Africa. As Group CEO, he led the bank with vision and purpose, contributing to the growth of Nigeria's banking sector and the expansion of economic opportunities across the continent.

‘’He also founded Wigwe University because of his passion and commitment to providing quality education opportunities for young people.

“In Abimbola, Nigeria also lost another captain of industry and a successful entrepreneur who empowered people and communities.

‘’The passing of Wigwe's wife and son are losses that leave gaping holes in the lives of those closest to them. May their lives serve as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment with our loved ones.

‘’Though words cannot adequately express our sorrow regarding this immense loss, I hope the families and dear friends of the deceased can find comfort in the fond memories they leave behind. 

‘’May their souls rest in perfect peace."