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The 14th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has disclosed how the late Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe helped him and his family when he was dethroned as Emir.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Sanusi to have said Wigwe provided a private jet, accommodated him and his family after he was dethroned as Emir and that he asked for nothing nor talked about it.
In an emotional-laden speech on Wednesday in Lagos at the night of tributes for the late Access Holdings CEO, the former Emir of Kano broke down in tears three times.
Each time Sanusi broke down in tears, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti; former Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and an aide comforted him.
Recall Wigwe died in a helicopter crash in California, US on Friday, February 9, 2023 alongside his wife, Chizoba; son, Chizi and Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.
Speaking at the night of tributes, Sanusi narrated:
“When I had problems in Kano, I called him about six months before I was to leave Kano, and I said to him, ‘Herbert, I know you will give all your best to solve all these problems, but I am convinced that this is what is going to happen.’ And he said to me ‘Your Highness, don’t worry, whatever happens, don’t worry we are here for you.’
“On the day I heard on the radio that I was dethroned, the night before it happened, I called and said ‘I want to come to Lagos.’
“The announcement was made at about 9 am, by noon, Herbert had a plane at the tarmac in Kano. I put my family on that plane, no message, no phone call, I put them on that plane.
“Herbert received them, put them in a hotel, and later got them accommodation for months.
“When I came, we stayed there. Some people believe I own Access Bank and Aig and Herbert are fronting for me.
“They gave me the cars and the drivers; they gave me security and a private jet and they ask for nothing and they don’t talk about it.
“I have lived in Lagos for four years, the house my family lives in was provided by Herbert”.
Speaking further, Sanusi disclosed how about two years ago, he put all his savings into a trust for the education of his children, thinking that death would take him before Wigwe.
“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 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 did not leave any money, you will educate my children.’ I thought I would die before Herbert.
“When I heard of his death, I said ‘In the coming weeks and months, people will get to know Herbert the human being’.
“They know him as a banker, as a businessman, they don’t know him as a human being.
“He was always about others, not about himself. You can’t imagine how one human being could have been so many things to so many people”.
Sanusi further said: “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 totally unacceptable.
“A few days after Herbert died; a friend called me and sent me a message. He had 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 am which was not delivered.
“From the presentation from the air traffic controllers, the crash happened at 3:30 am. So possibly, the last thing Herbert read was my message talking about him.”
