A helicopter carrying six people crashed near a small town in Southern California’s Mojave Desert in the United States, the Associated Press has reported.
According to media reports, the helicopter was believed to be conveying the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son and former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
It was gathered that the helicopter went down on Friday evening near Baker, a town of 700 people about 95 miles (153 kilometers) southwest of Las Vegas.
The helicopter took off from Palm Springs Airport around 8:45 p.m. and was en route to Boulder City, Nevada, when it crashed about 10 p.m., according to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff’s officials told newsmen that they have not been able to locate any survivors and the cause of the crash is unknown. A message The Associated Press left with the sheriff’s department on Saturday wasn’t immediately returned.
While the US National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a team to the site to investigate the crash, officials of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement that they also are investigating.
Sunday Tribune reports that Wigwe, his family and Ogunbajo’s deaths have sent shivers down the spine of many, including stakeholders in Nigeria’s financial sector, among others.
Many concerned Nigerians and industry watchers described his demise as a huge loss that will have implications within the business community.
Leading the pack, former vice-president and former presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, in a condolence message he posted on X, said he was saddened by the death of the Wigwe, his relations and others in the crash.
His tweet read: “In the words of one of Nigeria’s finest CEOs, Herbert Wigwe, ‘Today and always, let us remember that life is a precious gift – a chance to breathe, feel, love, experience and connect. Let’s honour this gift by living with purpose, kindness, and gratitude, making every moment count. Let us number our days.’
“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.”
Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, described Wigwe as a colossus in Nigeria’s financial sector that put Nigeria on the “global map of first-class financial services.”
“The tragic incident is painful and heart-wrenching, and we pray for God’s abiding comfort in this profoundly difficult time.
“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,” Obaseki said in the statement.
Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, in a statement entitled: “Herbert Wigwe: Nigeria Has Lost One of its Most Innovative Entrepreneurs,” described Wigwe as an innovative entrepreneur.
“Nigeria has lost one of its most innovative and creative entrepreneurs. He not only led Access Bank to become a global brand, he developed Access Corporation into a veritable vehicle for addressing developmental challenges. He established Wigwe University to equip Nigerian youths with the skills of competing in a complex and fast changing world. Herbert Wigwe’s worthy legacies will surely endure.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the Wigwe family, his relations, friends, business associates, members of Corporate Nigeria, and all Nigerians on the demise of this globally acclaimed banker and entrepreneur. May Herbert Wigwe’s soul rest in perfect peace,” he said in the statement.
A former chairman of Sterling Bank and governorship aspirant in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, described the incident as an “extremely distressing development.”
In a condolence message he posted on social media, Ighodalo called for prayers to the families of the victims of the crash.
He said: “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.”
Speaking in the same vein, the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, in a condolence message, extolled Wigwe for his commitment to the development of the youth and how he used his foundation to empower the next generation.
“Herbert’s passion extended beyond finance; he was profoundly committed to supporting Nigerian youth. Through the HOW Foundation, he dedicated himself to empowering the next generation, and his efforts to establish Wigwe University showcase his unwavering belief in the transformative power of education.
“Herbert’s legacy of nurturing young minds and fostering educational opportunities will continue to inspire us. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this time. Rest in peace, Herbert. Your impact will not be forgotten,” the statement read.
In his condolence message, the Director, Institute of Capital Market Studies, State University Keffi, Professor Uchenna Uwaleke, described the eath of Wigwe as a huge loss.
Professor Uwaleke said, “It’s a huge loss to the nation especially when one considers his contributions to the growth of the financial services sector as well as his recent foray in the education sector with the establishment of Wigwe University. May God grant him eternal rest.”
Managing Director, SD&D Capital Management Limited, Gbolade Idakolo, said he received with shock the death of Wigwe, who died with others in a helicopter crash in California, USA.
Idakolo said, “Such news is so devastating for someone who has contributed so much for the growth of the banking industry, and at a time his financial institution, Access Bank, is making serious inroads to many African countries, contributing to Nigeria’s economy and that of Africa.
“Wigwe University that he owns is placed in a good stead to contribute to the body knowledge and the development of the country. He will be missed.”
In his reaction, a financial analyst, Aliyu llias, said, “The death of Wigwe is a colossal loss to Nigeria. A business mogul and an embodiment of knowledge has been lost. I don’t know how or who can sustain his legacy. Interestingly he had a university that many people would have begun to benefit from. He has grown Access Bank to an enviable level. It’s a sad one. That simply shows that it could happen anywhere in the world. If it were to happen here in Nigeria, we would have said it is perhaps the other way round… but you could see now that it is a challenge for the whole world. May his soul rest in peace. I wish we have people that could sustain his legacies because it’s like, it’s the whole family. It’s a big loss.”
The Chief Economist & Partner @SPMProfessional, Paul Alaje, said, “I think this is a big loss to Nigeria, especially to the business community, the private sector. This will have tremendous implications within the business community because this is one of the financial bigwigs in the country; one of the top five financial institutions in Nigeria, Access Bank, and the individual reported to have died in a helicopter crash in the USA also owns a relatively new university.
“These are not the only businesses or expressions that he has put himself into. When you watch his life, he always got himself involved with businesses with large presence, medium and large scale enterprises. He is highly connected; he’s someone that makes business happen. I can tell you that this will be a big loss especially to the banking community and all other well influential persons in the private sector.”
Just as news of Wigwe and others was received in shock in the financial sector, other Nigerians also
In ruing Wigwe’s loss, human rights activist and former senator representing Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani, on X, said “the death of Access Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe and five others in a helicopter crash is tragic, sad and heartbreaking. A great loss. May their souls rest in peace.
In a lengthy post on X, a former presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, hailed Wigwe’s dedication to duty, and commitment to excellence while recalling how Wigwe’s timely and prompt feedback was instrumental to the integration of the mailboxes of Access Bank and Intercontinental Bank when the duo merged in 2011.
“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,” the post read in part.
According to Wikipedia, Herbert Wigwe was born on August 15, 1966 in Ibadan.
Until his death, Wigwe was CEO of Access Holdings PLC which traded as Access Corporation.
He was the Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank PLC, one of Nigeria’s top five banking institutions, after succeeding his business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede in January 2014, a position he held until April 2022.
Days ago, he came under intense criticisms over payment of school fees in his university in dollars.
However, Wigwe University has said its home students will pay their fees in naira, explaining that its decision for select dollar payment was a strategic one that aligns with its vision to attract a diverse and international student body.
In a statement issued by the institution, Wigwe University noted that it respected the concerns raised by some members of the public, and was obliged to clear the air on the matter.
The statement reads in part, “The decision to list our fees in USD is a strategic one, aligning with our vision to attract a diverse and international student body. By utilising USD, a universally accepted currency, we aim to provide clarity and transparency for our prospective students from around the world. We want to assure our home students that they will pay their tuition fees in naira.
“As a hub for intellectual growth, we are not just building individuals, but contributing significantly to the economic development and growth of Nigeria and Africa at large. The presence of international students at Wigwe University has a positive ripple effect on the local economy.
“The exposure to the rich cultural and entrepreneurial landscape of Nigeria creates a potential avenue for future investments and business collaborations. Furthermore, the influx of international students will boost our local economy by bringing in USD, this positive impact will gradually reduce capital flight from our economy.”
The university authority said it was dedicated to fostering a global learning environment with a focus on excellence, innovation, and inclusivity.