Tributes have continued to pour in over the deaths of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, and five others who died in a helicopter crash in the US.
President Bola Tinubu, in a condolence letter, said, ‘’After receiving an official confirmation of events, I receive with shock and deep distress the news of the passing of Mr. Herbert Wigwe, top banker and entrepreneur, and Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, OFR, former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, along with members of the Wigwe family.
Grow your business with us
Tinubu mourns these exceptional Nigerian business leaders and describes their passing as “an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension.”
The President condoles with the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, the business community, and all those impacted by this harrowing incident.
President Tinubu prays for the peaceful repose of the departed and asks God Almighty to comfort the multitude of Nigerians who are grieving and the families of the deceased at this deeply agonizing moment.
Also, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, in a tweet on his X handle, described the incident as unfortunate.
He wrote, “I’m deeply saddened to hear about the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, and his family. Indeed, Herbert Wigwe, consummate banker, education promoter, and philanthropist, numbered his days. On behalf of my family, my heart goes out to their loved ones and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident. May their souls rest in peace.”
The Director-General, World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, posted on her X handle, @NOIweala, “Terribly saddened by the news of the terrible loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group CEO of Access Bank, 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 and my younger brother, Herbert’s partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, in a statement on his X handle described Wigwe’s death as a profound loss across the nation.
Obi, who was the former governor of Anambra and a businessman, said he was distressed to hear the news as Wigwe had been a close ally of his for years.
“I am 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.
“This loss is profoundly felt across the nation. I first met Herbert during his early days, on the brink of starting his marital journey.
“I vividly remember assisting him in preparing for his traditional wedding and being there for the ceremony with his wife, Chizoba, from Achina, Anambra.
“Since then, I have maintained a connection to his endeavors in my own modest ways. Herbert, a determined and forward-thinking individual, led Access Bank to new heights.
“His noteworthy contributions extended beyond the professional realm, with commendable philanthropic efforts in health and education.
“This was exemplified by the establishment of Wigwe University, showcasing his deep commitment to education as a driver of development,” he said.
Obi said the loss of such an exceptional individual reminded mankind of the fleeting nature of life, and encouraged them to live with a purpose that contributed to the betterment of humanity.
He prayed that God should grant them eternal rest and provide strength to Herbert’s family, Access Holdings, and all of them mourning the irreplaceable loss.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has also described as tragic the reported death of the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc.
Abiodun, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, described the incident as a devastating loss for the families, friends, and entire business community in Nigeria.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe and five others. My thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time. Herbert Wigwe was not only a respected business leader but also a role model for many aspiring entrepreneurs. His contributions to the banking sector and the Nigerian economy will always be remembered.”
Executive Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, Femi Otedola, said in a post on his X handle that he is shocked to hear about the deaths of Wigwe, his wife, and son.
“I am shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of banking genius Herbert Wigwe, his dear wife Chizoba, and his first son Chizi. Exactly two weeks ago Herbie and his wife hosted myself and Aliko to dinner at his newly built home in Lagos. I will cherish and fondly remember my memories of time spent together with him over the years.”
Also, President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has mourned the sudden demise of Chief Executive Officer of Access Holding, Mr Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son and others in a helicopter crash in California, USA.
Akpabio, in a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Eseme Eyiboh, described the death of Wigwe as a big loss not only to the Nigerian banking and finance industry but also to the country as a whole.
Akpabio said, “I received with shock the news of the passing of Wigwe and some of his family members in a helicopter crash in the USA.”
He said Wigwe’s contribution to the growth of the Nigerian banking industry and, indeed, the economy was exemplary and commendable.
He described Wigwe as an iconic entrepreneur, a serial investor who passed on at a time that Nigeria needed his services the most.
“In his chosen career, he exhibited a high level of professionalism and unmatched leadership, which marked him out as a true patriot.
“He was a man of integrity who never believed in cutting corners to achieve success in business.
“His vision in establishing a world-class university, Wigwe University, to cater for the educational development of the country will be cherished as a memento for his love for Nigeria.
“On behalf of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I offer our condolences to the Wigwe family, the Board and Management of Access Bank, the Governor of Rivers State, and the President.
“We pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased, while we urge Nigerians to uphold the values of integrity, commitment, and professionalism that he embodied throughout his remarkable career,” he said.
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message he signed and issued on Sunday, described Wigwe as the king of visionary and disruptive ideas, saying the death of the renowned banker and entrepreneur is a personal loss to him and a colossal loss to Lagos, Nigeria, and the banking industry.
Sanwo-Olu, who described Herbert Wigwe as “my brother, my friend, and my adviser,” said “Herbert’s contributions to banking and the financial sector in Africa were unparalleled. He was an unapologetic believer in the Nigerian solution.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of my dear brother and friend, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his dear wife Doreen, and their beloved son Chizi in a helicopter crash.
“Herbert was not just a brother and visionary leader but one of the brightest minds in Africa. His impact on our nation and beyond will be remembered forever. My heart mourns.
“Herbert’s contributions to banking and the financial sector in Africa were unparalleled. He was an unapologetic believer in the Nigerian solution. His dedication and passion for progress inspired us all. Today, we mourn not just a leader but a true friend and brother. Lagos and Nigeria have lost a remarkable soul. Rest in peace, my brother.
“We also lost another great business leader and legal luminary, my egbon Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, who contributed significantly to the development of the Capital Markets and Corporate law in Nigeria. May his soul rest in peace.
“In this difficult time, our thoughts are with the families of all the victims, and we pray for strength and grace.”
The Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, also mourns the tragic passing of Chief Executive officer of Nigeria’s Access Holdings, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife, and son in a helicopter accident in California, USA, on Friday.
As a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Governor Soludo had the privilege of witnessing firsthand Mr. Wigwe’s innovative approach to banking and his instrumental role during the Bank Consolidation in driving the growth and expansion of Access Bank, both within Nigeria and internationally.
His leadership extended far beyond Access Bank. Mr. Wigwe was a pillar of the Nigerian business community, a champion for economic development, an avid educationist and a true visionary who consistently pushed boundaries for growth and development
His contributions to the banking sector and to Nigeria as a whole will be long remembered.
Mr. Wigwe’s legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched, the institutions he built, such as the Wigwe University, and the inspiration he provided to generations of youth, aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders.
He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Doreen, and son, Chizi, in a helicopter crash in the United States of America over the weekend.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu, on Sunday, Kalu described the deaths as shocking, devastating, heartbreaking, and tragic.
The Deputy Speaker said that Wigwe was a fine gentleman and Thoroughbred professional who significantly impacted the finance and business climate, noting that Nigeria’s corporate world will greatly miss him.
Commiserating with the deceased families, friends, and loved ones, Kalu also prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Mr. Herbert Wigwe, the Group CEO of Access Bank, alongside his wife and son, as well as Abimbola Ogunbanjo, a former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, and others in a helicopter crash in the US.
“Wigwe was a visionary who significantly impacted our nation’s banking sector. His death is indeed a tragic loss to our finance industry.
“My sincere prayers are with his family, friends, and loved ones in this difficult time. May God grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss and may the souls of the departed find eternal peace in the Lord, Kalu said.
Access Bank chief executive Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son, and the former group chairman of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, were among six people killed in a helicopter crash in the Mojave Desert near the California-Nevada border late Friday night, according to a World Trade Organization official.
The chartered Airbus EC130 helicopter was flying from Palm Springs, California, to Boulder City, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas, according to National Transportation Safety Board member Michael Graham.
The aircraft, which was operated by California-based charter company Orbic Air, took off around 8:45 p.m. PT and crashed just after 10 p.m. near Interstate 15 in Halloran Springs, California, Graham said.
The helicopter caught fire upon impact, Graham added, citing witness reports. Witnesses also reported rain and a wintry mix when the crash happened, he said.
The NTSB is investigating the cause of the crash and was on the scene in Halloran Springs, California, Saturday night collecting evidence, Graham said at a news conference.