Nigerians mourn as Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe, five others die in chopper crash

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1 year ago

Nigerians on social media have continued to mourn following news of the sudden death of the group chief executive officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe.

Tribune Online reports on Saturday that the Nigerian billionaire banker and entrepreneur, his wife, kids and Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo, were involved in an helicopter crash in California, United States of America.

Born August 15, 1966, the late Group Managing Director/CEO of one of Nigeria’s top five banking institutions has been described by an X (formerly Twitter) user, simply identified as Seun, as one of the country’s finest deal makers.

“Appears it’s true. Herbert Wigwe was one of the biggest and finest deal makers in Nigerian financial services sector. May his soul RIP. 💔” he tweeted @Oluseun_akin1

Also reacting to the news of Wigwe’s sudden death, many other Nigerians on X described Wigwe’s death as a big loss to the nation and its financial sector.

“He was just giving a farewell speech to Uncle Abdul Imoyo few weeks ago. Whaoooo… Life is truly fickle. He is one of Nigerias finest. May his soul be accepted by his creator. Rest on Herbert Wigwe,” another user, identified as Abby Curtis (@CurtisAbbi) said.

Tolulope Micheal, while bidding the late banker farewell, described his death as shocking and hard to believe.

“The news of the death of CEO of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe is shocking and horrible!!

May his soul and the soul of other victims involved in the helicopter crash, rest in peace.

It’s sad. I’m still hoping for someone to come out and debunk this,” he tweeted @im_tolumicheal.

Another X user, identified as AareMusbau (@musbauceo), who shared a short clip of Herbert Wigwe speaking to his community people about his university project, tweeted: “This video of Dr. Herbert Wigwe assuring his community people of providing them with the best university in Africa keeps flashing on my mind.

“Indeed, life is too short, and the next seconds is not guaranteed. Rest on.”

Lawrence Okoro (Sir Law), who tweeted @LawrenceOkoroPG, said losing both Wigwe and Ogunbanjo to a helicopter crash was a very sad incident.

“It’s a very sad day for Nigeria as two business icons are confirmed dead in a helicopter crash in the United States. Rest in Peace, Herbert Wigwe & Abimbola Ogunbanjo.”

Dr Dipo Awojide, while reacting to the passing of Wigwe, described him as one of true champions of human capital in Nigeria and African continent.

“Herbert Wigwe was one of the true champions of Human Capital in Nigeria and Africa. He wrote some much about skills, education and recently started a university. God please console his family and friends. This is tragic and heartbreaking 💔. God please have mercy!!! 😭😭😭”