Access Holdings Plc has confirmed the death of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife and son, on Friday, February 9, 2024 in a helicopter accident in a helicopter accident in the United States.
The Group Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, in a released statement said, “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 was a key driving force and a larger-than-life personality who brought his remarkable passion, energy, and experience to the transformation of the Access franchise since joining the Bank in 2002.
Chairman of Access Holdings, Abubakar Jimoh, said: “The Access Family has suffered a major loss with the passing of Dr. Wigwe who was a great friend and fine gentleman. He had a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and vast business experience which he brought to bear on the Access Family and for which we owe him a debt of gratitude”.
Also, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed shock at the news of the death of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, his son, and others in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, United States.
The governor described the incident as a “monumental disaster.”
He stated, “Rivers State and the nation are in tears because it would be extremely difficult to understand this sweeping loss of a family involving a strong pillar, accomplished banker and philanthropist with tentacles in the education sector.”
Fubara said the Wigwe University, which the deceased pioneered, must not be allowed to die.