National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Vice President; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; and former Federal lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, have expressed shock over the tragic deaths of Access Holdings Plc boss Herbert Wigwe and his family.
Wigwe reportedly died following the crash of the helicopter conveying him and five others on Friday night near the California-Nevada border in the United States of America.
The fatal crash also claimed the lives of his wife, Chizoba Wigwe, his son, and the Group Chairman of the Nigeria Stock Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
Reacting in a tweet on his X handle, Atiku 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 Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development wrote, “The reported tragic loss of my friend, brother, and not-far-away neighbour in Lagos, Herbert Wigwe, the co-founder of Access Bank, the CEO of Access Holdings, and the founder of Wigwe University, is very devastating. He was in my office earlier this week (where we took the pictures below) and actually left my office to fly out of the country and never came back. I am also shocked to learn his wife, son, and other friends were involved in this tragedy.
“We were on the verge of announcing something big for the aviation sector, which is why he actually came to the office with his entire team, both from Access and Wigwe University. This is surreal and I am lost for words. May Almighty God comfort his aged parents and sibling (who were also my neighbours in Lagos for many years as a very young lawyer in Anthony Village), his immediate family members, his staff, friends across Nigeria, and dependents.”
Also, the Edo state governor described the incident as devastating, saying he has been left in extreme shock.
“We also unfortunately lost Wigwe’s wife and son, as well as the former Group Chairman of the 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.
“Wigwe was a colossus in Nigeria’s financial sector, leading Access Bank to become an international brand that placed Nigeria on the global map of first-class financial services. I commiserate with the Wigwe family, the Ogunbanjo family, Access Bank Holding, the Nigeria Stock Exchange, friends and associates, and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
On her part, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, wrote, “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.”
Also, Sheu Sani wrote, “It is sad and heartbreaking. A great loss. May their souls rest in peace.”
House of Representatives member Akin Alabi described the tragic incident as a “national tragedy and heartbreaking.”
An economist, Asue Ighodalo, wrote, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my dear brother Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son, as well as my dear brother Abimbola Ogunbanjo and two others in this most unfortunate helicopter crash near California. Words fail to express the grief my family and I feel in the face of this most disturbing news. As we face the very difficult days to follow this extremely distressing development, I most humbly call for prayers for the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families as well as all of us who are distraught by this harrowing event. My deepest condolences.”
Adamu Garba wrote, “The death of Herbert Wigwe, the CEO of AccessBank Plc, really touched me. I recall that in 2011, when Herbert was the COO of Access Bank, the IT department was under him. I was a professional IT consultant for an integration project at the bank. We migrated their mailboxes and merged them with those of Intercontinental Bank after the acquisition. I proceeded to deploy what is called Right Management Services RMS to protect their information flow. That was a requirement for their processes to comply with ISO 27001 certification. It was critical at that moment.
“During testing, Herbert will be the first to reply whenever we send a test mail, no matter how late. He will be the first to confirm if things work or don’t. I was not surprised at all when he became CEO afterward. His energy, dedication to duty, and commitment to excellence are unceasing. May God, in his infinite mercy, bless his soul, and that of his wife and son with eternal resting place.”
