As a way of immortalising his “devoted friend, mentee and supporter” Herbert Wigwe, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote has named the road to his $19 billion Lagos Refinery after him.

He announced this to the glare of family members, fellow associates and friends of the late banker and Chief Executive Officer of Access Corporation Plc, at the Night of Tributes held in his honour on Monday.

In his tribute, Dangote described Wigwe as a visionary role model with courage second to none and a loyal friend and a pillar of support for him and his family.

“I am proud to name him my devoted friend, mentee and supporter. I will forever cherish the warmth of his friendship”, Dangote said.

Recall Theliberationnews reported that Wigwe alongside his wife and son died in a helicopter crash on 9 February, 2024 in the United States on his way to attend the Super Bowl LVIII championship in Las Vegas.

Few weeks after, his associates including the country’s finest businessmen, governors, and government officials among others converged in the nation’s commercial nerve centre as Wigwe’s burial rites commenced with an event tagged: “Celebrating Herbert Wigwe – A Professional Legacy.”

Some of the dignitaries who graced the event include the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Yemi Cardoso; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the President of the African Development Bank Group, Akinwumi Adesina; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, among other distinguished Nigerians and foreigners.

On his part, Governor Sanwo-Olu said Wigwe exemplified the true spirit of Lagos State, saying the nation’s commercial nerve centre won’t forget him.

Sanwo-Olu described Wigwe as a “completely detribalised” person whom ” Lagos will not forget”.

Tributes also came in from Cardoso and Edun who both recalled the late Access Holding group CEO’s contributions to the nation’s economy.

“He was so full of ideas and creative in his thinking,” Edun said about Wigwe with Cardoso describing the death as a “profound loss”.