Connect with us

Business

Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions Mourns Passage of Herbert Wigwe and Others

Published

on

32 Views

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions Mourns The Passage of Herbert Wigwe and Others

In his words:

I am devastated by the sad news of the helicopter crash in California, United States of America, that claimed the life of my dear friend, brother and professional colleague, Herbert Wigwe, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings PLC, his lovely wife of many years, son, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group PLC, alongside two others.

Herbert Wigwe’s visionary leadership and commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark in the business world, particularly banking and financial services industry . His passion, dedication, and innovative spirit have inspired many, and his legacy will be remembered far beyond his years. 

A fearless and accomplished accountant and businessman, Herbert exemplified commitment to causes of public good and national development, evident in initiatives like the Wigwe University project and numerous philanthropic gestures across Nigeria and beyond. This is a national tragedy of monumental proportion.

Having maintained a personal relationship with Herbert since our days at Guaranty Trust Bank in 1991, I witnessed his extraordinary goal-driven professionalism. He reached the pinnacle of his career in the banking industry and business, leaving an indelible mark on the generation of accomplished bankers who cut their teeth at Guaranty Trust Bank.

As we come to terms with this devastating loss, we share in the grief of Access Holdings PLC, the families, friends, and colleagues of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this unimaginably difficult time. May the memories of Herbert Wigwe and all those who died in the helicopter crash comfort and strengthen all those who knew and loved them. Ameen. Let us remember their contributions and honor their lives by continuing to uphold the values they believed in.

And in this time of sorrow, and as we navigate this dark moment, let our resolve in Almighty God remain unwavered. God bless.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Abuja surpasses Lagos in FDI destination- NBS

Following Lagos were Ogun State with $7.95 million, Oyo with $7.81 million, and Kaduna with $4.06 million.Overall, Nigeria recorded a total capital importation of $5.64 billion in Q1 2025 — a 67.12 percent increase from the $3.37 billion reported in Q1 2024.

Published

on

By

7 Views

Abuja has overtaken Lagos as Nigeria’s top destination for foreign capital inflow, according to the Q1 2025 Capital Importation report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The report revealed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) attracted $3.04 billion in capital importation during the first quarter of 2025, surpassing Lagos, which drew $2.54 billion in the same period.

This marks the first time Lagos has lost its long-standing position as the country’s number one hub for foreign investment.

Following Lagos were Ogun State with $7.95 million, Oyo with $7.81 million, and Kaduna with $4.06 million.Overall, Nigeria recorded a total capital importation of $5.64 billion in Q1 2025 — a 67.12 percent increase from the $3.37 billion reported in Q1 2024.

Compared to Q4 2024, which recorded $5.08 billion, capital inflow rose by 10.86 percent.

In the NBS report, Portfolio Investment accounted for the largest share at $5.20 billion (92.25 percent), followed by Other Investments at $311.17 million (5.52 percent).

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was the lowest contributor with $126.29 million (2.24 percent).

Continue Reading

Business

Afreximbank Strengthens Dangote Refinery with US$1.35 Billion Loan

“This refinancing strengthens our balance sheet and accelerates with ease the refinery’s supply of high-quality refined petroleum products across Africa, ” said Aliko Dangote.

Published

on

By

32 Views

• Aliko Dangote and Benedict Oramah

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has contributed US$1.35 billion of the US$4 billion syndicated financing arrangement for Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) to refinance the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex.

Commenting on the development, Professor Benedict Oramah, President & Chairman of Board of Directors at Afreximbank, said:“With this landmark deal, we once again demonstrate that Africa’s development can only be meaningfully financed from within.

“It is only when African institutions lead the way that others can follow.

The journey to utilise African resources for its own economic transformation is well underway.

Through the Bank’s funding support, we are enhancing the capacity of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Ltd to produce and supply high quality refined petroleum products to the Nigerian market, as well as for export to the entire continent and the world. Our energy security is in sight.”

Aliko Dangote, President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, added:“Afreximbank’s contribution to this milestone financing underscores our shared vision to industrialize Africa from within.

“This refinancing strengthens our balance sheet and accelerates with ease the refinery’s supply of high-quality refined petroleum products across Africa, ” said Aliko Dangote.

Afreximbank acted as the Mandated Lead Arranger, for the syndication.

This financing— one of the largest syndicated loans in recent African financial markets—will refinance capital expended on constructing

The financing alleviates initial operational expenditures and enhances DIL’s balance sheet, supporting its continued growth trajectory.

Afreximbank contributed US$1.35 billion, the largest share among participating banks, underscoring its commitment to large-scale infrastructure that advances Africa’s industrialization, energy security, and intra-African trade.

Since operations at the refinery complex began in February 2024, Afreximbank has continued to support the Dangote Refinery by providing key financing solutions—for crude supply and product offtake—ensuring uninterrupted operations and reinforcing its role in Africa’s most significant refining intervention.

Continue Reading

Business

Marketers, Retailers fight dirty as Fuel price nears N1,000 per litre in Nigeria

Published

on

53 Views

Petroleum product marketers and retailers are trading blame as the premium motor spirit pump price nears N1,000 per litre in Nigeria.

On Monday, it was reported that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited retail outlets across the country increased fuel prices.

In Abuja, Nasarawa, and Kogi states, the NNPCL petrol pump price jumped by N65 per litre to N955 per litre on Monday from N890 dispensed at the weekend.

IPMAN, PETROAN give reasons for fuel price increase:

The latest fuel price hike in Nigeria has been blamed on several reasons, including the fall in global crude oil price, the exchange rate, the Dangote Refinery, and the Depot Owners petrol ex-depot price increase.

While the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria blamed the exchange rate for the latest fuel price hike, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria blamed Dangote Refinery’s pricing system.

The spokesman of IPMAN and the National President of PETROAN, Chinedu Ukadike and Billy Gillis-Harry, respectively, made these perspectives known in separate interviews on Monday.

Ukadike partly attributed the recent fuel price hike to forces of demand and supply in a deregulated downstream oil industry.

He noted that the latest price adjustment is not unconnected to price reviews at petrol depots and the Dangote Refinery.

“Fuel prices went up due to forces of demand and supply.

Supplying Depots and Dangote Refinery have increased their ex-depot petrol prices.

“The cost of the Dollar is the reason for the price hike for depot owners.

“For Dangote Refinery, I can’t say categorically, but it may not be unconnected to the price of crude oil; you know the plant imports the bulk of its crude oil.

“As of Friday, Dangote Refinery is N858 per litre, NIPCO (N870), Aiteo (855), and Ranoil (N865),” he said.

On his part, Gillis-Harry blamed the Dangote Refinery pricing mechanism for the latest fuel price hike.

“We should be looking at proper fuel pricing because what the Dangote Refinery is doing is not proper pricing,” he said.

.

Continue Reading

Trending