(Scypre.com) – In a tragic event that has reverberated through the Nigerian community and beyond, Herbert Wigwe, the esteemed CEO of Access Bank Group, was identified among the fatalities of a helicopter crash in the Mojave Desert of California. The accident, occurring on a Friday night, has plunged many into mourning and sparked an investigation by multiple American agencies.
Herbert Wigwe was celebrated for his visionary leadership at Access Bank, transforming it into a global powerhouse in the financial sector. His untimely demise was publicly acknowledged by Nigerian officials and dignitaries, including Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, who took to social media to express their condolences.
Further deepening the tragedy, the crash also claimed the lives of Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, alongside Wigwe’s family members, including his wife and son. This information was shared by Godwin Obaseki, a Nigerian politician and the Governor of Edo State, highlighting the profound impact of the loss on both the professional and personal fronts.
The incident unfolded near Nipton, California, close to the border with Nevada, around 10 p.m. local time. The helicopter, identified as an Eurocopter EC130, had departed from Palm Springs Airport at approximately 8:45 p.m., bound for Boulder City, Nevada. The journey was abruptly halted by the crash, under conditions marked by adverse weather, including rain and snow.
The response to the crash involves a thorough investigation led by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), underscoring the seriousness with which this incident is being treated. The investigation aims to unravel the circumstances leading up to the tragedy, with the NTSB taking charge and promising updates as the inquiry progresses.
Governor Obaseki, in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), expressed his shock and devastation at the news of Wigwe’s passing. He lauded Wigwe’s monumental contributions to Nigeria’s banking sector and his role in promoting the nation’s presence on the international stage. Obaseki’s message was one of solidarity and comfort, extending his deepest sympathies to the families affected, Access Bank, and the broader community, while calling for divine strength to endure this irreplaceable loss.