Photo: Dr Wigwe, the CEO of Access Holdings who died in helicopter crash in America on Feb. 9. Photo from Wigwe’s X handle.
Abuja, Feb. 12, 2024
Barely four days after 58-year-old quintessential banker and Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holding, Dr Herbert Wigwe, and his family died in an helicopter crash in America, the international bank has started shopping for his replacement.
Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), also died in the crash.
Lucky Wigwe’s Special Assistant, Mr Faleye Olusola, whose name was in the manifest, escaped death as he did not board the ill-fated flight as he opted to travel by road with the luggage.
Worried Chairman of Access Holdings, Mr Abubakar Jimoh, said that the Board will soon announce the appointment of an Acting Group Chief Executive Officer.
He said on Sunday that they remained confident that the Access Group will build further on Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence.
The Access family, he said, suffered a major loss with the death of Wigwe, who was a great “friend and fine gentleman’’.
“He had a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and vast business experience, which he brought to bear on the Access Family, and for which we owe him a debt of gratitude.
Mr Wigwe, his wife, and son were among the tragic casualties in the crash involving Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter carrying them and some others on the night of Feb. 9, 2024 to Las Vegas, near the Nevada-California border on their way to watch America bowl.
Access Holdings confirmed the deaths of Wigwe, his wife Doreen and son Chizi and described the incident as a big loss and setback in the transformation of the Access franchise since Wigwe joined the Access bank in 2002.
The company’s secretary, Mr Sunday Ekwochi, issued a statement on the pains of the tragic loss.
“Dr 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,” he said.
Wigwe started his professional career with Coopers & Lybrand Associates, an international firm of Chartered Accountants and also spent over 10 years at Guaranty Trust Bank where he managed several portfolios, including financial institutions, large corporates and multinationals.
He left Guaranty Trust Bank as an Executive Director to co-lead the transformation of Access Bank in March 2002 as Deputy Managing Director.
Access Bank on Sunday said it is cooperating with US authorities who are investigating the helicopter crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board of the US said it currently has a meteorologist working on its team to analyse and get the exact weather conditions at the time of the crash.
“Of course, that’s out in the middle of the desert so we’ll have to find the closest reporting stations nearby to be able to give any accurate report,” NTSB said.
The death has caused an outrage both in the economic, political and social circle, and among some world leaders.
After receiving an official confirmation of accident, President Bola Tinubu expressed shock and deep distress over the death of the top banker and entrepreneur; and Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, , former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group and with members of Wigwe family.
Mourning these exceptional Nigerian business leaders, President Tinubu 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 and prayed for the repose of their souls, said Mr Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity), in a statement on Feb. 11,
French President. Emmanuel Macron; Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and the Nigerian business community are greatly saddened.
In his condolences posted on his X handle, President Macron said France has lost a friend with the demise of Wigwe.
The French president noted that Wigwe worked tirelessly to strengthen the relationship between France and Nigeria through his leadership of the French -Nigeria Business Council.
Macron described Wigwe as humanistic and talented entrepreneur and expressed his heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
“France has lost a friend, Herbert Wigwe, President of the French Nigeria Business Council. A humanistic and talented entrepreneur. He tirelessly worked to strengthen the relationship between our two countries. Our heartfelt thoughts go to his family and loved ones.”
Okonjo-Iweala in her X handle said she was “terribly saddened by the news of the terrible loss of Herbert Wigwe … his wife and son as well as Bimbo Ogunbanjo in a helicopter crash.”
“May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace,” she added.
According to Mr Bayo Onanuga, Wigwe’s death as “a terrible blow” for Nigeria and Africa’s banking industry.
Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, said in his X handle: “Wigwe had a big vision to make Access Holdings Africa’s biggest, with all the unquenchable thirst for acquisitions.”
The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki described the news of the crash as devastating and that Wigwe’s death left him extremely shocked and devastated.
“We also unfortunately lost Wigwe’s wife and son as well as the former Group Chairman of Nigeria Stock Exchange, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, in the crash.
“The tragic incident is painful and heart-wrenching and we pray for God’s abiding comfort in this profoundly difficult time.”
The Association of Corporate & Marketing Communications Professionals in Nigeria Banks (ACAMB) has joined the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in extending condolences.
ACAMB on Monday in a statement by its President, Rasheed Bolarinwa expressed sadness and extended condolences to Access Holdings Group on the passing of Wigwe whom he described as a visionary, innovative and fearless achiever whose contributions had revolutionised the banking sector
In deep sorrow and shock, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), said Wigwe, as the leader of one of Nigeria’s largest banks, has left an indelible mark in the country’s economy.
The President of ACCI and Leader of the Organised Private Sector in FCT, Mr Emeka Obegolu, said:”The Access Bank family, the Nigerian banking sector, and the business community have suffered a major loss with the passing of Wigwe, who was known for his intellect and fine character.’’
Mr Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman of The Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), also commiserated with the families of Wigwe and Ogunbanjo.
The NGX group chairman stated that late Wigwe also left an unblemished footprint in the group’s private sector.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are said to be investigating the real cause of the crash as the mourning continues..
