By Milcah Tanimu
As investigations by the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) delve deeper into the fatal helicopter crash that claimed the life of Mr. Herbert Wigwe, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, alongside his family members and associates in California, prominent Nigerians continue to offer condolences and support to the bereaved family in Lagos.
The NTSB has moved the aircraft wreckage and other pertinent exhibits to a laboratory for further examination and analysis, with ongoing efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have been paying visits to the Wigwe family to express their sympathies. Among them is Magnus Abe, the Rivers State gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the 2023 election. Abe, who visited the Wigwe family home in Lagos, described the late CEO as a remarkable figure who maintained strong ties to his roots despite his notable achievements.
Reflecting on Wigwe’s character, Abe remarked, “There is a lot that one can say about Herbert, but what I think is obvious to everyone on the continent of Africa is that he has become one of the giants of the financial industry in our time… To climb so high and yet everyone sees you as one of the boys and part of the home crowd, I think that was the most amazing thing about him.”
Abe also commended the accommodating nature of Wigwe’s father, emphasizing his role as a father figure to many. He expressed his condolences, stating, “It is not just the loss of a family, one tribe, or one country; it is a great loss to humanity.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has expressed profound sadness over the tragic passing of Mr. Wigwe, his wife, son, and former Nigerian Exchange Group Chairman, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, in the helicopter crash. In a statement, the NIA Chairman, Olusegun Omosehin, extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the Access Holdings Group, acknowledging Mr. Wigwe’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s financial sector and economy.
The NIA described Wigwe as a successful banker, a patriotic figure, and an influential voice in the financial industry, whose demise represents a profound loss to the country. The association offered prayers for strength and solace for the grieving families during this challenging period.
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