Herbert Wigwe, Access Holdings PLC’s Group CEO, has died.
Wigwe died in a helicopter crash on Friday, along with his wife, son, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.
The bank confirmed the sad situation in a statement signed on Sunday by the company’s Group Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi.
“With great sadness, the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) announces the death of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the Company’s founding Group CEO and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’).” Dr. Wigwe perished on Friday, February 9, 2024, in a helicopter crash in the United States of America, together with his wife and son, according to the statement.
They were reportedly on their way to Boulder City, Nevada, from Palm Springs, California, when their helicopter crashed in a small town in California’s Mojave Desert at 10 p.m. on Friday.
The aircraft, which crashed near the California-Nevada line, carried six persons. Nobody survived the crash.
It is unclear what caused the crash of the Airbus Helicopters EC-130.
Read the full statement below:
ACCESS HOLDINGS PLC ANNOUNCES THE PASSING OF ITS GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DR. HERBERT WIGWE, CFR
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 entire Access Family mourns the loss of Herbert, Doreen and Chizi. We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones. 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. Commenting on the passage of Dr. Wigwe, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings 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.
“In line with the Company’s policy, the Board will soon announce the appointment of an Acting Group Chief Executive Officer even as we remain confident that the Access Group will build further on Dr. Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence.”
Sunday Ekwochi
Group Company Secretary