PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe along with members of the Wigwe family.
A former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two crew members also died in the helicopter crash.
The President in a statement on Sunday by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, described the helicopter crash as an overwhelming tragedy.
He said he received with shock and deep distress the news of the passing of Mr. Herbert Wigwe, top banker and entrepreneur, and Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, a former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.
The statement read, “President Tinubu 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.”
Wigwe, his wife, son were part of the six crew members onboard the ill-fated aircraft.
FORMER Vice President and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, the Director General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Executive Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, Femi Otedola, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), the Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani amongst others have reacted to the tragedy.
Atiku, in a tweet on his X handle on Saturday night, described the incident as unfortunate.
He wrote, “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.”
The Director-General, World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, posted on her X handle @NOIweala, “Terribly saddened by the news of the terrible loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group CEO Access Bank, his wife and son as well as Bimbo Ogunbanjo in a helicopter crash.
“My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Wigwe family, the Ogunbanjo family, Access Bank Group employees and Management and my younger brother, Herbert’s partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, in a statement on his X handle described Wigwe’s death as a profound loss across the nation.
Obi wrote, “I’m deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of my dear friend, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, CEO of Access Holdings, along with his wife and son, and another close friend, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former group chairman of NGX Group. This loss is profoundly felt across the nation. I first met Herbert during his early days, on the brink of starting his marital journey.”
Executive Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, Femi Otedola in a post on his X handle says he is shocked to hear about the death of Wigwe, his wife and son.
“I am shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of a banking genius Herbert Wigwe, his dear wife Chizoba and first son Chizi. Exactly two weeks ago Herbie and his wife hosted myself and Aliko to dinner at his newly built home in Lagos. I will cherish and fondly remember my memories of time spent together with him over the years.”
