Sanusi, who is emotional, tells how Wigwe assisted him when he was overthrown as Kano Emir.

Muhammadu Sanusi II, the former Emir of Kano, sobbed on Wednesday as he paid respects to Herbert Wigwe, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc.

Speaking to the gathering on the night honouring the 57-year-old, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stated he was considering parting ways with Herbert.

"I assumed I would pass away and leave Herbert behind. He spoke in an extremely charged tone. "We have all heard about him, about his loyalty," he said.

He remembered how the late banker supported him through all of his hardships after former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje deposed him from the position of Emir of Kano.

The former Emir claimed that Herbert gave him his unwavering support and allegiance.

Lamido claimed Herbert gave him a plane to take him to Lagos, waiting for him on the airstrip in Kano, so he could match words with deeds.

About six months before I was ordered to leave Kano, I called him while I was having issues there. "Herbert, I know you are trying your hardest to find solutions to all of these issues, but I am confident that this is what will happen," I told him.

"Your Highness, don't worry," he said me. Whatever occurs, don't be concerned. You can rely on us. I called him that day, telling him I wanted to come to Lagos, after hearing on the radio that I had been dethroned.
"The announcement was made at around nine in the morning, and by noon, Herbert had arrived at the Kano tarmac." Back then, the goal was to send me into long-term exile. I despatched my family to Lagos on that airline, not even bothering to give them a call. When Herbert got them, he checked them into a motel.

Afterwards, he secured them lodging. They had been there for months before I arrived. Just give Shola a ring if you would want to go, Your Highness.

During his five years at the apex bank, the former CBN stated that his achievement was largely due to the late Access Bank CEO and his partner, Aig Imoukhuede.

He also described how, at the time, they had assisted in resolving a significant issue facing the banking industry.

Aig and Herbert from Access Bank were selected to serve as the chairs of the subcommittee on economic development with the goal of connecting the assets of the banking industry to the actual economy at that time. Without them, I could not have accomplished the majority of what I did at the Central Bank.

Since I have numerous children, I placed all of my savings in a trust for their education about two years ago. Being a father, my first responsibility is ensuring that my children have a quality education before I die away.

Paul, a lawyer, was appointed to that trust, and Herbert served as the primary guardian. I told Herbert, "Herbert, I am placing you in charge of this trust for the education of my children because I know that even if I died and did not leave any money, you will educate our children," at our first official meeting. Paul will remember that.