NEWS
Wigwe: Access Holdings Appoints New Chairman
In a significant leadership change, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhede, the esteemed pioneer Managing Director of the Access Bank Group, has been named as the new chairman of Access Holdings.
This pivotal appointment comes following the departure of Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, the former Chairman of the HoldCo, who transitions to the role of Independent Non-Executive Director on the board.
Aig-Imoukhede’s return to the group after a decade is marked by a sense of both renewal and remembrance, as he steps back into a prominent position following the tragic passing of his friend and co-founder, Herbert Wigwe, earlier this year.
BIZTELLERS recalls that Wigwe, along with his wife, Doreen, and son, Chizzy, met a tragic end in a helicopter crash near the Nevada border, United States of America, casting a shadow of grief over the Access Bank community.
In a private ceremony held on March 9, Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, and their son Chizzy were laid to rest in a tomb within the grounds of the Wigwe University, a testament to their enduring legacy and contributions to education and community development.
Located in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, the university stands as a tribute to Herbert Wigwe’s vision and commitment to empowering future generations.
In the wake of this solemn occasion, Access Bank announced the appointment of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhede as chairman of Access Holdings.
Following extensive consultations with key stakeholders, the decision to invite Aig-Imoukhede to lead the helm of governance was reached unanimously by the Holdco Board.
The bank said “With an illustrious career spanning several decades in the banking and finance sector. Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede has proven to be an exceptional and influential leader, having admirably laid a solid foundation for Access Bank’s success as Group Chief Executive Officer between 2002 and 2013 ably supported by his partner and deputy, the late Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR who later succeeded him.”
The bank highlighted Aig-Imoukhuede’s transformative leadership, crediting him with spearheading Access Bank’s remarkable growth and solidifying its position as a trusted financial institution.
Under his stewardship, the bank expanded its customer base from ten thousand to over six million, with a workforce of more than 5,000 employees and an asset base of $12 billion.
In response to Aig-Imoukhuede’s appointment, Jimoh expressed his enthusiasm, hailing it as a landmark moment for Access Holdings.
He said “Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede’s appointment to the Board and subsequent election as Chairman. is a landmark development for Access Holdings. All our board members are excited about our future.”
Aig-Imoukhuede, commenting on his appointment, expressed his excitement at rejoining the Access Group ecosystem in an active capacity.
He said “I am thrilled to be back in active service to the Access Group ecosystem. I am confident that working with our directors, our exceptional team of executives and our best-in-class banking and finance professionals, we will deliver outstanding value to our esteemed stakeholders. I am determined that our shared vision which Dr. Wigwe gave everything for, will be realised.”
After stepping down as the bank’s CEO in December 2013, Aig-Imoukhuede ventured into a new realm by co-founding the Tengen Family Office Limited.
This entity now oversees a diverse array of investments and enterprises spanning banking, finance, insurance, technology, real estate, and energy sectors.
A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi yencountered a “hard landing” on Sunday.
According to report, the incident took place near Jolfa, a city situated on the border with Azerbaijan, within Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran.
However, details regarding the incident were not disclosed.
The Associated Press noted uncertainty regarding whether bh Raisi was onboard the helicopter during the incident.
Despite rescue efforts, adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind, have hindered access to the site, according to state TV.
Before the helicopter incident, President Ebrahim Raisi had been in Azerbaijan on Sunday to participate in the inauguration of a dam alongside Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
This dam marks the third joint construction project between the two nations on the Aras River.
Despite Iran’s diverse helicopter fleet, obtaining parts is hindered by international sanctions, with much of its military air fleet dating back to pre-1979 Islamic Revolution era.
Raisi, aged 63, is known for his hard-line stance and previously served as the country’s judiciary leader.
Considered a protégé of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, some analysts speculate that Raisi could succeed the 85-year-old leader in the event of his resignation or demise.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.
According to him, the plot, involving both foreigners and Congolese citizens, unfolded in the early hours outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe in the Gombe district, close to the president’s offices at the Palais de la Nation.
General Sylvain Ekenge announced on national television that the defence and security forces had successfully thwarted the coup attempt.
He said “An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces. The foreigners and Congolese…including their leader” would “all no longer cause any harm”.
Shots were heard near the Palais de la Nation during the attempted coup, as confirmed by various sources.
General Ekenge didn’t elaborate further on the incident, and AFP’s attempts to get additional information from official sources remain unanswered.
However by late morning, the city appeared calm.
Early social media reports suggested an armed attack on Kamerhe’s residence, with some assailants heading towards the Palais de la Nation.
“This morning, there was an armed attack at the residence of the economy minister,” wrote Japan’s ambassador Hidetoshi Ogawa on X.
He stated that Kamerhe “was not harmed, but two policemen and an assailant were killed according to sources.”
France’s ambassador reported hearing automatic weapons fire in the area and advised French nationals to steer clear of the location.
Videos circulating on social media depicted individuals in military attire at the Palais de la Nation, waving flags of Zaire, the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the regime of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was ousted in 1997.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed all transition committee chairmen in the state’s 21 local government areas.
This decision was detailed in a letter titled “Expiration of Tenure and Handover to Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs),” dated May 17, 2024, and signed by Collins Nwabunwanne, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs.
According to the letter, the directive will be effective starting Monday, May 20, 2024.
The letter read, “Following the expiration of your tenure as Transition Committee Chairman, you are hereby directed to handover the affairs of your Local Government Council to the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), in your respective Local Government Councils.
“This directive takes effect from Monday, 20th day of May, 2024. Thank you for your service to the state. All replies to be addressed to the Honourable Commissioner.”
Lagos Pastor Suspends Offering Collection
JUST IN: Iranian President’s Helicopter Crashes In Azerbaijan
Shots Heard As DR Congo Military Thwarts Alleged Coup
Gov Soludo Dismisses All 21 Anambra Transition Committee Heads
Usyk Defeats Fury To Become Undisputed Champion
NCDMB’s Exec Sec, Ogbe Bags NSE’s Fellowship
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
