The Governor Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has paid a heartfelt tribute to late Herbert Wigwe, describing him as a man whose presence was larger than life and the night of the incident as cruel.
Sanwo-Olu poured out his tribute for the late business tycoon during a one-year remembrance of the late banker, his wife Chizoba, and son Chizi who died in an air crash one year ego
Sanwo-Olu said, “A year ago, the world as we knew it, changed forever. In an instant, we lost a man whose presence was larger than life.”
“The pain of their passing lingers like an open wound that time has not been able to heal,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“If love, friendship or share force of will could rewrite history, we would have turned back time. We would have done anything, we would have done everything to change the course of event that led to that faithful night”
“But life in its unpredictability has forced us to confront a reality we never prepared for – A world without Hebert and other three souls”
Describing the person of late Wigwe, Sanwo-Olu, said Wigwe is not a man of half measures or small dreams, rather a man who pursues his dreams relentlessly.
Sanwo-Olu who also described late Wigwe as a builder of people and ideas said, Wigwe’s death has not extinguished his light, as it has only illuminated the part of those he touched.
Recalling Wigwe’s contribution to the development of the country and Lagos State, the governor said he still “struggles to speak of Herbert in the past”.
“He truly believed in Nigeria, he believed in Africa, ” Sanwo-Olu told the solemn gathering on Sunday evening.
“He, especially believed in our work here in Lagos State. Herbert travelled the world with us, helping my government to mobilise partners and funding,” the Lagos State governor said.
“Lagos State has felt his absence very strongly in the last one year and people in this room know truly what I am talking about. There are projects that would no doubt have moved faster today. Of course, Herbert being around would have pushed them forward.”
“H.O.W made my work as a governor a little easier for me,” a sober Sanwo-Olu told the audience.
“He was always looking for ways to be impactful. Nothing gave him as much joy and satisfaction than executing projects,” he said, but believes Wigwe’s “greatest legacy lives in his children – Tochi, David, Hanna, and Okachi”.
The event saw other dignitaries across all areas of live with tributes and performances
