Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has described as painful the death of the Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Holdings.
Wigwe was said to have died alongside his wife, a son and the former group chairman of Nigeria Stock Exchange, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, in an air crash in the United States of America.
Obaseki in a statement on Saturday, wtote, “The news of the passing of the Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Holdings, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash in the United States of America has left me 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.
“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,” he added.
Also, Nigerian Artiste, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, in a post on his X handle wrote, “I pray for strength and comfort for the Wigwe family.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Saturday confirmed the crash of a helicopter carrying six passengers in a Southern California desert near Las Vegas.
All the passengers on board are reported to have died.
According to FAA, the crash occurred on Friday around 10 p.m. local time near Nipton, California.
However, the FAA has not made available the list of the passengers involved in the accident as at the time of filing this report.
The family members of some Nigerians suspected to have been involved in the crash did not respond to calls.
But Mr Tunde Moshood, the Specialist, Asset and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, described Wigwe as a leader with unwavering dedication to his nation and his indomitable spirit serve as inspiration to us all.
“Though he may have left this world prematurely, his vision and values will continue to guide us as we strive for a brighter future.
“Adieu, Herbert Wigwe. Your presence will be sorely missed, but your legacy will endure as a beacon of hope and progress,” he said.
Born on Aug. 15, 1966 in Isiokpo, Port Harcourt, Herbert Wigwe has carved a niche for himself in the world of finance.
He obtained a degree in accountancy from the University of Nigeria and further education in Banking and Finance, Financial Economics, and an executive programme from Harvard Business School.
Wigwe’s impact was not limited to banking. His passion for philanthropy led him to establish the Herbert Wigwe Foundation, fostering education and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
His dedication earned him the Order of the Niger (CON) and admiration from peers and the public.
