The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Access Bank Group, Herbert Wigwe, is reportedly feared dead after a tragic helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, United States. The incident, which occurred on Saturday morning, has shocked both the financial and local communities. Details indicate that Wigwe, along with his wife and son, were passengers on the ill-fated flight.
According to reports from The Will and New York Times, the crash involved a Eurocopter EC130 helicopter, which went down around 10 p.m. local time near Nipton, California. Despite rescue efforts, authorities have not yet located any survivors. The exact departure point and destination of the helicopter remain unclear.
Efforts to obtain comments from Access Holdings regarding the incident have been unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. Furthermore, attempts to reach the Head of Media Relations, Kunle Aderinokun, and other media team members have also proved fruitless.
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However, the Rivers State Government has confirmed the tragic news, emphasizing the profound loss to both the business sector and the state. Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, described the incident as shocking and expressed condolences for the loss of Herbert Wigwe, his wife, and son.
Johnson, speaking to a correspondent, conveyed the gravity of the situation, highlighting the impact of Wigwe’s death on multiple sectors and expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the entire family.
Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe CFR (15 August 1966 – 9 February 2024) was a highly respected figure in the Nigerian banking and business landscape. He held the esteemed position of CEO of Access Bank Plc, known as Access Corporation in trading circles. Wigwe’s tenure as the Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank plc spanned from January 2014 to April 2022, during which he successfully navigated the bank through various economic and industry challenges.
Wigwe’s professional accomplishments were matched by his personal life. He shared a life with his beloved wife, Chizoba Wigwe (née Nwuba), and together they raised four children, creating a strong family unit despite the demands of his career.
Tragically, Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe’s life was cut short in a devastating accident. On 10th February 2024, he, along with five other individuals, including his wife and one of his sons, perished in a helicopter crash near Nipton, California. Among the other victims was Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc. The identities of the remaining two victims remain unknown, adding to the sorrow and mystery surrounding the tragic event. The sudden loss of Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe and the others aboard the Eurocopter EC130 sent shockwaves through the Nigerian business community and beyond, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, innovation, and family devotion.