Grief, shocks and tributes continue to trail the sudden death of the group chief executive officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe.
Tribune Online reports on Saturday that the Nigerian billionaire banker and entrepreneur, his wife, son and the Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo, were involved in an helicopter crash in California, United States of America.
The chopper, identified as a Eurocopter EC 130, was headed to Las Vegas when it crashed last Friday night near Nipton, between Nevada and California.
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which confirmed the incident in a statement, said that all onboard are dead.
In a statement posted on his personal X-account, the former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, Peter Obi, said the passing of Wigwe, his family and business partner, is tragic news that would be felt across the nation.
“I’m deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of my dear friend, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, CEO of Access Holdings, along with his wife and son, and another close friend, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former group chairman of NGX Group,” he said.
Obi, who recounted his first encounter with the deceased during preparation for his traditional wedding in Anambra, described him as a determined and a forward-thinking individual who led Access Holdings to a new height after succeeding his business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede
“His noteworthy contributions extended beyond the professional realm, with commendable philanthropic efforts in health and education, exemplified by the establishment of Wigwe University, showcasing his deep commitment to education as a driver of development,” Peter Obi added, praying for eternal rest for the departed souls and strength for their respective families and Access Holdings.
In her reaction to the tragic news, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, expressed grief over the terrible loss of Wigwe and others.
“Terribly saddened by the news of the terrible loss of Herbert Wigwe , Group CEO Access Bank @HerbertOWigwe , his wife and son as well as Bimbo Ogunbanjo in a helicopter crash. My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Wigwe family, the Ogunbanjo family, Access Bank Group employees and Management @myaccessbank and my younger Brother Herbert’s partner Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace,” the WTO DG posted on her personal X-account.
The former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in a condolence message posted on his X-handle, said the country must see “the passing of Herbert and these prominent individuals not just as a personal tragedy for their families but also as a significant loss for the business community and the nation at large.”
According to him, the deceased Access Bank CEO was instrumental in transforming what used to be a small commercial bank, to top five banking institutions in Nigeria.
“I’m deeply shaken by the news of the helicopter crash in California that claimed the lives of my friend and brother, Herbert Wigwe, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, his dear wife, son, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, alongside two others,” he said, while praying that God grant solace to all families affected by the tragedy.
The Founder of Anap jets and Stanbic IBTC bank, Anedo Peterside, also mourned the passing of Wigwe, wife, son and Bimbo Ogunbanjo, describing it as a terrible loss.
“My entire family and @Anap_Jets family are devastated by the news of this terrible loss of @HerbertOWigwe, Wife (Chizoba), Son and Bimbo Ogunbanjo via a helicopter crash in the USA. Condolences to the Wigwe family, the Ogunbanjo family @myaccessbank, G7 etc. May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace,” he tweeted.
Bayo Onanuga, an aide to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described the incident as a tragic blow for Nigeria and Africa’s banking industry.
He tweeted: “The death of Roosevelt Herbert Wigwe is a terrible blow for Nigeria and Africa’s banking industry. Wigwe had a big vision to make Access Holdings Africa’s biggest, with all the unquenchable thirst for acquisitions. He also made a mark in his community, by building a university, that he once told me will make a difference by focusing on entrepreneurship. He has now left all to return to his maker. May his soul rest in perfect peace. May the souls of his wife Chizoba, son and lawyer Abimbola Ogunbanjo, who died in the same ghastly copter crash in California desert also rest in peace.”
