PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has described the death of the Group Managing Director/Chief executive Officer of Access Holdings, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Doreen, and son, Chizi, as well as a former group chairman of the Nigeria Exchange Group Plc, Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, as a rude shock, even as investigators scoured the site in Southern Californian desert to determine the cause of the crash.
The chartered helicopter was reportedly on its way from from Palm Springs to Boulder City in Nevada when it went down about 96 kilometres from Las Vegas.
The 57-year-old Wigwe was said to be on his way to Las Vegas to attend Sunday’s Super Bowl.
The San Bernardino county sheriff’s department said the crash site was near Nipton, on the edge of the Mojave Desert Preserve and the weather at the time was poor, with reports of rain and snow showers in the area.
Wigwe co-founded Access Bank with Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede in 1989 and it soon became one of Nigeria’s largest banks by in 2018 after it acquired the defunct Intercontinental Bank and Diamond Bank.
The Ikwerre, Rivers State-born late banker Wigwe had been working to expand across the continent, acquiring banks in countries, including Kenya, South Africa and Botswana, with plans to open a new banking service in Asia in the first quarter of this year.
Since the accident, tributes have been pouring in, with Tinubu describing the news of his death and others as “shocking beyond comprehension” and “a terrible blow” for Nigeria and Africa’s banking industry.
Wigwe had in a newspaper article last month said investing in higher education was key to controlling mass migration, which he saw as “destabilising countries across the world,” just as he was geared to start his Wigwe University in September this year in Rivers State.
According to Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, Tinubu received an official confirmation of the the death of the Founder of HOW Foundation and Ogunbanjo with shock, saying their passing was “an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension.
“The President commiserates with the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, the business community and all those impacted by this harrowing incident.
“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 agonising moment.”
On its part, the management of Access Holding, while confirming the tragedy, said: “Wigwe died alongside his wife and son on Friday, February 9 in a helicopter accident in the United States (US).
“The entire Access family mourns the loss of Herbert, Doreen and Chizi. We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones.
“Wigwe was a key driving force and a larger-than-life personality who brought his remarkable passion, energy and experience to the transformation of the Access franchise since joining the Bank in 2002.”
The bank said its Board would soon an acting chief executive in due course.
In the same vein, Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her X platform handle, expressed her sympathy and condolences to the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, Access Bank Group employees and management.
Okonjo-Iweala said: “Terribly saddened by the news of the loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group CEO Access Bank, his wife and son, as well as Bimbo Ogunbanjo in a helicopter crash.
“May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”
First Bank of Nigeria Holdings (FBN Holdings) Chairman, Mr. Femi Otedola, also expressed shock and sadness over the tragedy, saying on his Instagram handle that Wigwe’s legacy would live forever.
The Executive Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, added that he would cherish and fondly remember his memories of time spent with Wigwe over the years, recalling: “Exactly two weeks ago, Herbie and his wife hosted myself and Aliko Dangote to dinner at his newly built home in Lagos.
“Herbie, we will miss you. Your legacy will live forever.
“My heartfelt condolences goes out to his children Tochi, Hannah and David. I pray God comforts them during this tragic time.”
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the death as devastating, adding: “I’m deeply saddened by the tragic loss. 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.”
The governor also sent his condolences to the family and friends of Ogunbanjo, saying: “We also lost another great business leader and legal luminary, my elder (egbon), Ogunbanjo, who contributed significantly to the development of the capital market and corporate law in Nigeria.
“In this difficult time, our thoughts are with the families of all the victims and we pray for strength and grace.”
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in a statement 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 Wigwe’s contribution to the growth of Nigerian banking industry and indeed, the economy, was exemplary and commendable, describing him as an iconic entrepreneur and a serial investor that passed on at a time that Nigeria needed his services the most.
He stated: “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 to cater for the educational development of the country will be cherished as a memento for his love for Nigeria.
“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.”
Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the last general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, said he had shelved his trip to Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire to watch the final match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire in the AFCON final as a result of the tragedy.
The former governor of Anambra State, on his official X handle, on Sunday, said he had already purchased a return ticket and was to depart Nigeria by 1.00 p.m. before tragedy struck that devastated him, noting: “As a result, I am in shock and mourning and can no longer travel to Abidjan, as already scheduled, but my heart remains with the boys, as I wish them victory to bring home the trophy.
“This loss is profoundly felt across the nation.”
The businessman disclosed that he first met Wigwe during his early days on the brink of starting his marital journey, adding that he vividly remembered assisting him in preparing for his traditional wedding and being there for the ceremony with his wife, Chizoba, from Achina, Anambra State,.
He stated that since then, he had maintained a connection to his (Wigwe’s) endeavors in his (Obi’s) own modest ways, describing the deceased as a determined and forward-thinking individual who led Access Bank to new heights.
Obi said the late banker’s contributions extended beyond the professional realm, with commendable philanthropic efforts in health and education, as exemplified by the establishment of Wigwe University, showcasing his deep commitment to education as a driver of development.
“The loss of such an exceptional individual reminds us of life’s fleeting nature, encouraging us to live with a purpose that contributes to the betterment of humanity.
“My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Herbert, his beloved wife, his son and all those who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash,” the politician said.
In its reaction, the NGX Group mourned the death of Ogunbanjo and also commiserated with the family of Wigwe.
The Group Chairman of NGX Group, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, in a statement, expressed condolences to the families of the departed souls, describing their death as untimely.
Kwairanga said the Ogunbanjo’s leadership had left an indelible mark on the company and the broader Nigerian financial community, noting that his legacy would continue to inspire the group.
The NGX boss noted that Wigwe also left an unblemished footprint in the group’s private sector, adding: “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time.”
Similarly, the NGX Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Temi Popoola, described the passing of Ogunbanjo as a profound loss to the group and the entire Nigerian private sector, saying he played crucial roles in shaping the conglomerate and will be sorely missed, even as his visionary leadership and impacts will never be forgotten.
He described the death of Wigwe, his wife and son in the helicopter accident as heartbreaking, noting that the contributions of the two respected leaders to the financial markets and the overall private sector would continue to be remembered.
“We are committed to preserving their legacies by upholding the principles of leadership, innovation and dedication that they exemplified,” he said.
