President Bola Tinubu has described the death of the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, as “an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension.”
This came after the official confirmation of a helicopter crash that killed the top banker, former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc., Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, along with members of the Wigwe family.
“Bola Tinubu receives the news with shock and deep distress… and mourns these exceptional Nigerian business leaders,” a statement on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, read.
Wigwe died in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, United States of America, on Friday. United States Authorities revealed that preliminary reports suggested the crash was caused by rain and wintry weather.
On Sunday, Access Holdings Plc confirmed the accident and those killed in the helicopter accident.
In thesame vein, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed grief over the death of the Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, who died along with his wife and son in a helicopter crash.
In a condolence statement on Sunday via X, Sanwo-Olu described Wigwe as “one of the brightest minds in Africa” and a “visionary leader” who made unparalleled contributions to banking and the financial sector.
“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,” the governor said.
According to Sanwo-Olu, Wigwe was an “unapologetic believer in the Nigerian solution” whose dedication and passion for progress inspired many.
“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,” he added.
The governor also mourned the passing of former Nigerian Exchange Group Chairman, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, describing him as a “great business leader and legal luminary who contributed significantly to the development of the Capital Markets and Corporate law.”
“In this difficult time, our thoughts are with the families of all the victims, and we pray for strength and grace,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Similarly, Business man, Femi Otedola, described the death as a loss of “a banking genius”.
Minutes after the official confirmation of Wigwe’s death, Otedola, in a short message posted on X on Sunday, stated that he will cherish the memories of time spent together.
Otedola also revealed how the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, hosted him and fellow business man, Aliko Dangote, in his new house two weeks before his death.
In a related development, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed shock at the news of the death of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, his son, and others in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, United States.
Wigwe hailed from Rivers State.
The governor described the incident as a “monumental disaster.”
He said Rivers State and Nigeria were in tears over the development.
This was contained in a statement on Sunday by the governor’s media aide, Boniface Onyedi.
Fubara, on behalf of his family, the state government, and the people of the state, commiserated with the Wigwe family over the incident.
He urged them to be comforted by God’s assurances of His love.
The governor said there were no words to convey how terrible the losses are, and the state and indeed Nigeria will miss “an unassuming, iconic, and accomplished illustrious son of Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.”
He stated, “Rivers State and the nation 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.”
Fubara said the Wigwe University, which the deceased pioneered, must not be allowed to die.
Punch/Adebukola Aluko
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