Nigerians from different walks of life continue to react to the tragic death of Herbert Wigwe, the Group CEO of Access Holding, and five other Nigerians.
Earlier, BrandIconImage reported that Wigwe, along with his wife Chizoba, son, and Bimbo Ogunbanjo, lost their lives in a helicopter crash between the California and Nevada border.
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lamented the death in a helicopter crash of the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Dr Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son and other business colleagues in California on Friday, describing it as an “overwhelming tragedy”.
The President said this in a statement signed and forwarded
to the press by his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Chief Ajuri
Ngelale on Sunday.
“After receiving official confirmation of events, President
Bola Tinubu receives with shock and deep distress the news of the passing of
Mr. Herbert Wigwe, top banker and entrepreneur, and Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo,
OFR, former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, along with
members of the Wigwe family.
“Mr. Herbert Wigwe, CON, was the Chief Executive Officer of
Access Holdings Plc and founder of the How Foundation.
“President Tinubu mourns these exceptional Nigerian business
leaders and describes their passing as “an overwhelming tragedy that is
shocking beyond comprehension.”
“The President condoles with the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo
families, the business community, and all those impacted by this harrowing
incident,” the statement said.
Tinubu, therefore, prayed for the repose of the departed and asked God Almighty “to comfort the multitude of Nigerians who are grieving and the families of the deceased at this deeply agonizing moment.”
Also, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, mourned the passage of the CEO of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, who died in a chopper crash with about five others in California, United States.
Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message he signed and issued on
Sunday, described Wigwe as the king of visionary and disruptive ideas, saying
the death of the renowned banker and entrepreneur is a personal loss to him and
a colossal loss to Lagos, Nigeria and the banking industry.
Sanwo-Olu who described Herbert Wigwe as “my brother, my
friend and my adviser,” said “Herbert’s contributions to banking and the
financial sector in Africa were unparalleled. He was an unapologetic believer
in the Nigerian solution.”
Sanwo-Olu said: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of
my dear brother and friend, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his dear wife Doreen, and their
beloved son Chizi in a helicopter crash.
“Herbert was not just a brother and visionary leader but one
of the brightest minds in Africa. His impact on our nation and beyond will be
remembered forever. My heart mourns.
“Herbert’s contributions to banking and the financial sector
in Africa were unparalleled. He was an unapologetic believer in the Nigerian
solution. His dedication and passion for progress inspired us all. Today, we
mourn not just a leader but a true friend and brother. Lagos and Nigeria have
lost a remarkable soul. Rest in peace, my brother.
“We also lost another great business leader and legal
luminary, my egbon Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of Nigerian
Exchange Group Plc, who contributed significantly to the development of the
Capital Markets and Corporate law in Nigeria. May his soul rest in peace.
“In this difficult time, our thoughts are with the families
of all the victims, and we pray for strength and grace.”