A.T.M (Access To Meaning): Herbert Wigwe’s testimony

In 2002, Herbert Wigwe and his business partner Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede bought Access Bank. Their purchase was delayed over the Central Bank of Nigeria’s concerns that the pair were too young to own a bank. Between 2002 and 2017, the bank grew to become the 4th largest bank in Nigeria.

The journey of an entrepreneur does not begin with money, neither does it begin with many; it begins with a meaning. Access to meaning is access to money. Meaning attracts money, while money attracts many. Knowledge and understanding make entrepreneurs informed and outstanding. The entrepreneur’s life is like the ATM, it ‘dispenses’ meaning to those who seek understanding and inspiration to those who thirst for success. Successful entrepreneurs leave with us intellectual deposits which avail us the opportunity to reproduce their kind of successes. There is a blueprint for every achievement. An entrepreneur is an embodiment of public treasures, his incomes may be private, but his outcomes are always available for public consumption. So, whether it is physical or intellectual monuments, an entrepreneur serves as a source of inspiration to individuals, organisations and nations, for Wisdom, Idea, Greatness, Wealth and Experience (WIGWE). He deposits these treasures for others to withdraw, and in turn, giving them access to the same. The worth of a man is not contained in what he has, rather, it is measured by what he adds. Entrepreneurs are producers with reproducible procedures. Although entrepreneurs may have trade secrets around operational procedures, their outputs are however available for subtle imitation, further innovation and incremental improvement by other entrepreneurs. Writers are the greatest entrepreneurs. They grant readers Access To Meaning (ATM) through books. Read Everyday And Discover (READ). “If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.” – Benjamin Franklin

“During my short hangout with Herbert Wigwe, C.F.R, I asked him what alternative career path he might have pursued outside Banking and Finance and he immediately responded that he always knew from day one as a teenager that he wanted to be an investment banker and never gave serious thought to anything else. I asked why he had such conviction at an early age and he mentioned that he found a role model who was a super successful banker in America at the time and decided he was going to align his ambition to follow the same trajectory as this man. He thought to himself that if he could learn everything the man knew and embody some of his values, some level of success was at least guaranteed down the line. He had a clear picture of what he wanted to be at a really young age simply because he saw someone else do it with great excellence and built his entire life around that. This is why I encourage successful people and high achievers to be intellectually generous and share more of their successes, failures, thinking frameworks and processes with young people who seek guidance, without ascribing it lazily to some divine intervention. People like Abubakar Suleiman will always have my respect for this. Our society faces a significant dearth of genuine role models, leading to a vacuum that, unfortunately, tends to be filled by those of lesser substance but louder voices. Nature abhors a vacuum. Go to the slums and ask the children what they want to be as adults and you’d be heartbroken by the responses. Even the ones that say “Doctor” have never seen or interacted with one before. Now go to a high end private school in Ikoyi and ask the same question. The only difference in their ambition is their exposure to people and places. Young people need new role models. If you have any sort of influence or success, please prioritize learning to articulate these ideas and journey with clarity in a way that resonates with young people. I know this is especially difficult on social media where everyone has a snarky remark but still put yourself out there regardless and be a little vulnerable with it too. I promise you there’s some kid somewhere who aspires to be like you and cares deeply about the insights you share. You may never even get to meet them in your lifetime but your life and success validate their dreams in some way. Every time you share the very essence of who you are through your thoughts and ideas, you leave the best part of yourself with the world and someone else picks that up subconsciously. Understand your power, wield your influence gently and live to inspire. This is how we build the moral compass of our society and pave new pathways for the next generation to follow. Be a great role model to someone today.”

Shared by Tunde Onakoyo

My name is Niyi Kolade,… liberating souls and celebrating solutions.

Tribute to Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe CFR (15 August 1966 – 9 February 2024).

In this moment of loss, and with a heavy heart, I solemnly convey my deepest condolences to Access Holdings PLC and the family of Herbert Wigwe.

As is the way of mortals, he leaves much undone, but the seed that keeps the forests growing has been planted. All his legacies will grow, and his dreams will become reality.

As we mourn the heart-wrenching passing of Herbert, Chizoba, and Chizi Wigwe, we pray for the comfort that only God can give to the Wigwe and Nwuba families, and to their friends and loved ones everywhere.

As a purpose-driven visionary, his legacy of leadership and impact will continue to inspire generations to come.

May his memory be a blessing, and may his spirit of purpose and resilience live on in all who knew him.

Some inspiring quotes by Herbert Wigwe:

“If you want to fly, you have to give up the negativity that weighs you down. Give wings to the greatness within you. Soar!”

“Success is a meaningless word without failure. I have failed many times, but in every wrong turn, every misstep, there are important lessons. Embrace them.”

“When I look at the faces of children, I see endless possibilities. All they need is a little help, a little hope, a little love, and someone who believes in them. God bless the child.”

“If you think the grass is greener on the other side, remember one thing: The grass is greener where you water it.”

“Be empathetic, considerate, kind, and respectful. People may forget what you gave to them but they won’t lose the memory of how you made them feel.”

“Increasingly, you’ll find that any task that is repetitive will be replaced by technology. We must, therefore, retrain and reskill our people and ourselves to fit into the new world.”

“Today and always, let us remember that life is a precious gift – a chance to breathe, feel, love, experience and connect. Let’s honor this gift by living with purpose, kindness, and gratitude, making every moment count. Let us number our days.”

“The world is changing and Nigeria is beginning to pay attention to young creative people. No matter the outcome, I urge you to keep telling your stories. Don’t be scared to make your mark in the creative space. The future is beautiful.”