· Why they are inseparable as friends and business partners
You could be forgiven for thinking the threads of their friendship was woven in the colourful fabric of ’till death do us part.’ But unlike most mortal friends, Aig Imoukhuede and Herbert Wigwe neither rip apart nor plow through the great, deep, tightly woven fabric of loyalty that defines their friendship.
Aig and Herbert are truly friends like brothers. They have come a long way as buddies and business partners. It would be recalled that when they started Access Bank years ago, pundits in the banking sector believed the bank would not thrive and survive the gruesome years, but the smart, focused men weathered the storms of contemporary banking and today, they occupy enviable positions in the league of Nigeria’s most gifted and seasoned financial Czars.
Aig and Herbert proved bookmakers wrong as they painstakingly forged Access Bank’s path to its esteemed height as one of the country’s top three banks today. When Aig quit the saddle as manager of the bank, it was believed that his successor, Herbert, would act according to stereotype and commence a vicious plot to reduce and make irrelevant, his friend and predecessor but Herbert didn’t do so.
This is because the bond between the two exceeds the common affiliation of colleagues and random business partners. Herbert remained loyal to Aig and together, they worked to improve the fortunes of their brainchild, Access Bank. And great thanks to the loyalty and vision of Herbert, the bank has grown remarkable leaps from the great height he inherited its saddle from Aig.
Unlike other bank chiefs who do not have a mind of their own, Herbert is remarkably different. He is formidable in intellect, wisdom, experience and he is truly independent. Thus he stands tall.
Little wonder the management and staff of the bank sing his praises to high heavens. Aig on his part has never grown jealous of Herbert’s success in the saddle. Rather he does his bit to encourage and assist him in running Access Bank and lifting it to greater heights.
Beyond the walls of commerce, Aig and Herbert maintain very robust relations. They attend events together and they do everything together. They also look out for each other. Aig and Herbert’s friendship is undoubtedly wrought with great benefits; however, they cut a different portrait from the sordid and oft reviled imagery of contemporary ‘friends with benefits.’
They have certainly come a long way since that fateful day in 2002 when they saw a unique opportunity and grabbed it, acquiring what was then a small commercial bank, Access Bank.
At the time, Access Bank was the 65th largest of 89 banks in the country. It is one of the top three now.
