The chief executive of Nigeria’s largest bank, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, and his son have died in a plane crash in a remote part of the Mojave desert along the California-Nevada border in the USA.
Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Doreen Chizoba, and son Chizi were among six people who died when the helicopter crashed. According to witnesses at the scene, the helicopter caught fire after crashing.
Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sent his condolences to the family and called the accident a shocking tragedy.
“I am shocked and deeply distressed by the news of the passing of Mr Herbert Wigwe, a distinguished banker, humanitarian, and entrepreneur, and Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former group chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group … along with members of the Wigwe family – Herbert’s wife, [Doreen] Chizoba, and son, Chizi, Their passing is an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension. I extend my condolences to the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, the business community, and all those impacted by this harrowing incident.” Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said in a statement.
Access Holdings PLC confirmed the death of the CEO in a statement to the public.
“It is with deep sadness that the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) announces the passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the Company’s founding Group Chief Executive Officer and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’). Dr. Wigwe died alongside his wife and son on Friday, February 9, 2024 in a helicopter accident in the United States of America,” the statement partly read.
