Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has mourned the sudden demise of Chief Executive Officer of Access Holding, Mr Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son and others in a helicopter crash in California, USA.
Akpabio’s spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, in a statement on quoted his principal as describing the death of Wigwe as a big loss not only to the Nigerian banking and finance industry but also to the country as a whole.
Akpabio said: “I received with shock the news of the passing of Wigwe and some of his family members in a helicopter crash in the USA.”
He said Wigwe’s contribution to the growth of Nigerian banking industry and, indeed, the economy was exemplary and commendable, adding that Wigwe was an iconic entrepreneur, a serial investor that passed on at a time that Nigeria needed his services the most.
“In his chosen career he exhibited a high level of professionalism and unmatched leadership which marked him out as a true patriot.
“He was a man of integrity, who never believed in cutting corners to achieve success in business.
“His vision in establishing a world class university, Wigwe University, to cater for the educational development of the country will be cherished as a memento for his love for Nigeria.
“On behalf of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I offer our condolences to the Wigwe family, the Board and Management of Access Bank, the Governor of Rivers State and the President.
“We pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased, while we urge Nigerians to uphold the values of integrity, commitment, and professionalism that he embodied throughout his remarkable career,” he said.
Similarly, business mogul, Mr Femi Otedola, Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria Holdings(FBN Holdings) also expressed his shock and sadness to hear the loss of a banking genius, Wigwe, his wife Chizoba and son Chizi.
Otedola, who is also the Executive Chairman, Geregu Power Plc, said on his instagram handle that Wigwe’s legacy would live forever.
He added that he would cherish and fondly remember his memories of time spent with the late Access Holdings CEO over the years.
The FBN Holdings chairman prayed that God rest the souls of the departed in peace and comfort his children and family during this tragic time.
“Exactly two weeks ago, Herbie and his wife hosted myself and Aliko Dangote to dinner at his newly built home in Lagos.
“Herbie, we will miss you. Your legacy will live forever.
“My heartfelt condolences goes out to his children Tochi, Hannah and David. I pray God comforts them , has recalled 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.
Reacting on her X platform handle, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela, Director General, World Trade Organisation(WTO) expressed her sympathy and condolences to the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, Access Bank Group employees and management
Okonjo-Iwela said: “terribly saddened by the news of the loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group CEO Access Bank, his wife and son, as well as Bimbo Ogunbanjo in a helicopter crash.
“May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.
In his reaction, the Doyen of Capital Market, Mr Sam Ndata, expressed his condolences to the families of the departed.
Ndata said the death of Wigwe and Ogunbanjo is a great loss to the capital market and banking industry.
He said that the NGX community received the news of the deaths with shock, but take solace in the will of God.
“We are so sad and wondering why this has to happen to these strong pillars of our industry at this time.
“While we wait to get full details of what actually led to their deaths, we pray that God rest their souls in peace,” he said.
The National Coordinator, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria(PSAN), Mr Boniface Okezie, described the Wigwe’s and Ogunbanjo’s death as a sad news to the banking industry, the capital market and the nation at large.
Okezie said Wigwe’s death was more painful because he also lost his wife and son in the helicopter crash to leave his aged parent.
He explained that Wigwe had worked so hard and committed over the years with his partner to build Access Holdings from the scratch to the top that it currently occupies.
According to him, Wigwe and the former Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede strategically spearheaded the transition of Access Bank Plc, into Access Holdings Plc.
Okezie said Wigwe, leading the team through hardwork and commitment, transformed the bank into a financial conglomerate that had taken a prime position in the nation’s banking and finance sector.
He said for about 26 years, Wigwe-led Access corporation evolved from an obscure Nigerian bank into a world-class African financial institution.
“Wigwe has paid his dues to make sure that the banking industry grow exponentially through his sheer hardwork and commitment, hence contributing massively to the growth of the nation.
“This is a great loss to the banking industry, capital market and the nation at large, but we cannot question God.
“We were hoping that Wigwe will retire in few years time, just like Aig-Imoukhuede, they o enjoy the wealth he has worked for and accumulated over the years, not knowing that God has his plans to call him home sooner than we expect.
“He has done his bid, contributed his quota to improve the banking system and the economy. I commend his efforty and tenacity over the years to build a conglomerate.
“I was watching him in the news few months ago when he announced that he has invested half a billion dollars in building a university in Isiokpo, Rivers State which is due for commissioning this year.
“Ironcally, now that he is no more, the university would be part of the legacies that would outlive him, which means he has worked so hard to leave his footprint,” he said.
