- Tinubu, Govs, Atiku, Obi, Mourn ‘Unfortunate Incident’
- Okonjo-Iweala, Business Community Pay Respect To An ‘Exemplary Businessman’
- How Bad Weather Led To Unfortunate Incident- US Transportation Safety Board
The deaths of the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings and former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, in a helicopter crash in the United States of America have continued to draw tributes from all over the country.
The Matrix reports that Wigwe and Ogunbanjo died late Friday in a helicopter crash that also killed Wigwe’s wife and first son.
Two crew members also lost their lives in the ill-fated crash.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, several state governors, presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, the business community and Nigerians have been showering tributes on the two men.
Leading the tributes, President Bola Tinubu described the deaths of Wigwe and Ogunbanjo, and members of the Wigwe family as a rude shock.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, saying Tinubu has received an official confirmation of the event.
Ngelale said Tinubu mourned these exceptional Nigerian business leaders and described their passing as “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.
“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.”
In a statement, the management of Access HoldingS said, “Dr Wigwe died alongside his wife and son on Friday, Feb. 9, in a helicopter accident in the United States of America.
“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.
READ ALSO: NGX Group mourns Wigwe, Ogunbanjo
”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.”
Among the governors are the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani; his Cross River State counterpart, Bassey Otu; the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo; and the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
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.”
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.
READ ALSO: Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe Feared Dead
“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.”
Sani, in a statement, said he received with shock and deep sense of loss the news of the passing of Wigwe who was one of the state’s development partners.
He said, “Nigeria has lost one of its most innovative and creative entrepreneurs. He not only led Access Bank to become a global brand, he developed Access Corporation into a veritable vehicle for addressing developmental challenges.”
Also, Otu, in a statement on Sunday, described Wigwe’s death as a huge blow to the banking and financial sector not just in Nigeria but across Africa and the world.
He said, “I received with utmost shock and sadness the tragic death of one of Nigeria’s sterling banker and business icon, Dr. Herbert Wigwe alongside his wife, son and others aboard a helicopter in the United States. This a huge blow to the banking and financial sector not just in Nigeria, but across Africa and the world.
“Dr. Wigwe was a shining example of industry, brinkmanship and dedication to all of humanity. Dying at a time when he is pioneering world class education through his Wigwe University is a devastating loss to this lofty dream and all who hoped on him. My deepest condolences to his family, his community, the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc., his friends and associates.
“As painful as this death is, Dr. Wigwe will be remembered for the impactful life he lived and his unflinching dedication to excellence. May God rest the souls of all those in that tragic crash. Amen.”
Soludo, in his condolence message, described the late Group CEO Wigwe as 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.
READ ALSO: Access Holdings Acquires Megatech
“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,” the statement read.
Fubara, in a statement on Sunday, said “there are no words to convey how terrible these losses are, and the state and indeed Nigeria will miss an unassuming, iconic and accomplished illustrious son of Isiokpo in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State”.
He said, “The state and the nation as a whole are in tears because it would be extremely difficult to understand this sweeping loss of a family involving a strong pillar, accomplished banker and philanthropist with tentacles in the education sector”, the Governor said, noting that the prestigious Wigwe University which he pioneered must not be allowed to die.”
Atiku, in a tweet on his X handle on Saturday night, 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.”
Okonjo-Iweala, in a post on X, wrote, “Terribly saddened by the news of the terrible loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group CEO 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.”
Obi also described Wigwe’s death as a profound loss across the nation.
Obi wrote, “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. This loss is profoundly felt across the nation. I first met Herbert during his early days, on the brink of starting his marital journey.”
On his part, billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola said he is shocked to hear about the death of Wigwe, his wife and son.
“I am shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of a banking genius Herbert Wigwe, his dear wife Chizoba and first son Chizi. Exactly two weeks ago Herbie and his wife hosted myself and Aliko Dangote 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.”
Meanwhile, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), on Sunday, released information on the fatal helicopter crash that killed Wigwe, Ogunbanjo and others.
In a briefing on Sunday, the NTSB stated that reports indicate that a wintry weather condition was one of the causes that contributed to the chopper disaster.
At the briefing, Michael Graham, an NTSB member, stated that officials were on the scene to collect perishable evidence.
“The team methodically and systematically reviews all evidence and considers all potential factors to determine the probable cause of the crash.
“The crew consisted of a pilot in command and a safety pilot. The accident flight was operated by Orbic Air LLC as a Part 135 charter flight. Witness reports of the weather conditions at the time of the accident suggest rain and a wintry mix.”
According to Graham, there were no details on the passengers that boarded the aircraft, adding that “any names will be released through the coroner’s office,” without specifying a time frame.
He further stated that the “helicopter was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder or a flight data recorder. This helicopter was not required to be equipped with those types of recording devices.”
Graham also said that the NTSB would look into the chopper’s airworthiness; maintenance and structure of the helicopter, operations, meteorology, and air traffic control.
“Parties to the investigation include the FAA and Orbic Air LLC. As the investigation continues, other parties could be named.
“The BEA — the French aviation accident investigation agency — will serve as an accredited representative because France is a state of the manufacturer of the Airbus helicopter and the Turbomeca engine,” he added.
