Nigerians and a host of other industry players across the globe are still coming to terms with the death of the Group Executive Officer, Access Holdings PLC, Herbert Wigwe.
Wigwe one half of the founding duo of Access Bank PLC died in a helicopter crash on a wintry night in California near the Nevada border. Former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc., Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, along with members of the Wigwe family also died in the crash.
Since his shocking death on Friday, Nigerian elite have taken turns to mourn the top banker.
………..President Tinubu, Speaker Abbas and Otedola mourn
President Bola Tinubu described the death of the banking guru as “an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension.”
The President said in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale: “President Tinubu mourns these exceptional Nigerian business leaders and 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.
“President Tinubu prays for the peaceful repose of the departed and asks God Almighty to comfort the multitude of Nigerians who are grieving and the families of the deceased at this deeply agonizing moment”.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, expressed shock and deep pain over Wigwe’s passing.
The Speaker, after receiving an official confirmation of the incident and deaths by the Group Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, on Sunday, described it as a huge tragedy to Nigeria as a country in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Musa Abdullahi Kirishi.
In the statement Speaker Abbas recalled how Wigwe as CEO of Access Bank Plc grew the deposit money bank to a household name in Nigeria and spread across Africa and other continents.
He also noted that Wigwe’s elevation to GCEO of Access Holdings Plc was an attestation to the entrepreneurial excellence, business acumen and corporate ethics.
The Speaker said Wigwe death has left a huge vacuum in the banking sector and the corporate world by extension, urging the corporate organisations that he championed and served most of his life to sustain his legacy.
Speaker Abbas prayed to God to console the bereaved families and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of their loved ones. He also prayed to God to grant the departed souls eternal rest.
On his part, wealthy businessman Femi Otedola has recounted his final encounter with Wigwe who hosted him and Africa’s richest man and founder of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote to dinner in his new home.
Soon after the official confirmation of Wigwe’s death, Otedola, in a short message posted on X on Sunday, described the death as a loss of “a banking genius”.
He noted that he will cherish the memories of time spent together.
“Herbie, we will all miss you. Your leagcy will live on forever. My heartfelt condolences go out to his children Tochi, Hannah and David. I pray God comforts them during this tragic time,” Otedola wrote on X.
Fubara and Sanwo-Olu express sadness……
Wigwe’s death has been described as a huge loss by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Wigwe hailed from Rivers State.
The governor described his passing aas a “monumental disaster.”
Fubara lamented that 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.
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.
On his part, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passage of Access Holding boss.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message he signed and issued on Sunday, described Wigwe as “the king of visionary and disruptive ideas, saying the death of the renowned banker and entrepreneur is a personal loss to him and a colossal loss to Lagos, Nigeria and the banking industry”.
Sanwo-Olu who described Herbert Wigwe as “my brother, my friend and my adviser,” said “Herbert’s contributions to banking and the financial sector in Africa were unparalleled. He was an unapologetic believer in the Nigerian solution.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of my dear brother and friend, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his dear wife Doreen, and their beloved son Chizi in a helicopter crash.
“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.
“Herbert’s contributions to banking and the financial sector in Africa were unparalleled. He was an unapologetic believer in the Nigerian solution. His dedication and passion for progress inspired us all. 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.
“We also lost another great business leader and legal luminary, my egbon Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, who contributed significantly to the development of the Capital Markets and Corporate law in Nigeria. May his soul rest in peace.
“In this difficult time, our thoughts are with the families of all the victims, and we pray for strength and grace.”
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