A chopper transporting the CEO of Access Bank and Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, and about five others aboard has crashed in California, United States.

The chopper, identified as a Eurocopter EC 130, was headed to Las Vegas when it crashed last Friday night near Nipton, between Nevada and California.

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in a statement, yesterday, confirmed that all onboard are dead.

The FAA said no survivors had been found as of yesterday. “We were made aware of a downed aircraft at approximately 10:12 p.m., on February 9, 2024. The scene of the crash was determined to be east of the 15-Freeway, near Halloran Springs Road,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board said they were investigating the cause of the crash at the time of filing this report.

Wigwe started his professional career with Coopers & Lybrand Associates, an international firm of Chartered Accountants. He later moved to Guaranty Trust Bank Plc where he spent over 10 years and managed several portfolios, including financial institutions, large corporates and multinationals.

He left Guaranty Trust Bank as an Executive Director to co-lead the transformation of Access Bank Plc in March 2002 as Deputy Managing Director. He was appointed Group Managing Director/CEO effective January
1, 2014 and served in that capacity till May 2022.

He was subsequently appointed a Non-Executive Director of the Bank effective May 2022.

Wigwe, until his demise, was an alumnus of the Harvard Business School Executive Management Programme. He holds a master’s degree in Banking and International Finance from the University College of North Wales, a master’s degree in Financial Economics from the University of London and a B.Sc. degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). Wigwe is the Chairman of The Access Bank (UK) Ltd and a Non-Executive Director of Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company Plc; FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange; Shared Agents Network Expansion Facilities Ltd and Agri-Business/ SME Enterprises Investment Scheme. He is also a member of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

His remarkable achievements in the transformation of Access Bank into a holdco structure cannot be over emphasised.
Indeed, under his leadership, the bank, previously ranked 65th among 89 banks operating in Nigeria, was transformed into a world-class African financial institution.

He succeeded in giving the bank international visibility and prominence with subsidiaries across Africa, Europe and Asia.

In addition, he played a remarkable role in the merger between Access Bank and Diamond Bank in 2018 that transformed the bank to number one slot in some parameters like assets and retail business with over 600 branches.

Wigwe recently bagged the ‘African Banker of the Year’ award at the 2021 edition of the African Banker Awards for his outstanding leadership skills in the market expansion of the bank during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond his role at Access Bank, Wigwe was also involved in various philanthropic activities through the Herbert Wigwe Foundation, which focuses on education, health, women empowerment and entrepreneurship. He is a strong advocate for sustainable development and social impact in Nigeria.

He is a respected and influential figure in the Nigerian banking industry, known for his leadership, strategic acumen and commitment to driving positive change.

He embarked on a university project, Wigwe University, but couldn’t live to see it and his other visions through as the wind of death has blown him away.

In a tribute titled ‘Tragic Loss: Remembering Herbert Wigwe, the Visionary CEO of Access Holdings’, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described him as a visionary leader whose legacy extends far beyond the realm of finance.

The tribute, signed by the Special Assistant, Media and Communications to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, read: “In a shocking turn of events, the world just bid a painful farewell to Herbert Wigwe, the esteemed CEO of Access Holdings, who died in a tragic helicopter crash that claimed his life, beloved wife, child, and business partner, Bimbo Ogunbanjo.

“Their journey, which began with ambitious business aspirations, ended abruptly, leaving behind a void felt not only in the corporate world but also in the hearts of those who knew them.

“Wigwe, a luminary in the banking and financial sector, was not merely a tycoon chasing profits; he was a visionary leader with a fervent dedication to his nation’s progress. His untimely demise occurred during a crucial juncture, as he sought to revolutionise Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure.

“A scene was set recently, specifically on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at the office of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN CON FCIarb (UK), as Wigwe, accompanied by his topflight team, engaged in discussions with the Honourable Minister.
“Their mission: To forge a groundbreaking synergy that would elevate the nation’s airports to global standards.

“Access Bank, under Wigwe’s shrewd authority, swore to embrace the repair of imperative air terminal offices, including latrines, lifts and other apparent framework. In return, the bank got a perceivability trade understanding, flagging an essential organization pointed toward upgrading both client experience and public pride.

“During the serious exchanges that ran for quite a long time, Wigwe’s enthusiasm for his country’s flying area was tangible. His energy was not simply a business veneer but rather a real obligation to cultivating progress and greatness.

“In spite of his transcending achievement and monetary discernment, Wigwe remained grounded in his foundations, as of late putting fundamentally in a varsity project in his old neighborhood of Port-Harcourt.

“Past the meeting room, Wigwe’s moxy and warmth charmed him to all who crossed his way. His compatibility with the Good Priest rose above the limits of business, as they traded talk and fixed their concurrence with a handshake, meaningful of their common vision for a prosperous Nigeria.

“As we bid goodbye to Herbert Wigwe, we grieve the departure of a visionary chief whose inheritance stretches out a long ways past the domain of money.
“His relentless commitment to his country and his unyielding soul act as motivation to all of us. However he might have left this world rashly, his vision and values will keep on directing us as we make progress toward a more promising time to come.
“Farewell, Herbert Wigwe. Your presence will be profoundly missed, however your heritage will persevere as an encouraging sign and progress.”

Edo State Lead representative, Godwin Obaseki, additionally communicated shock over Wigwe’s demise.

In a message he by and by marked, the lead representative portrayed Wigwe’s demise as difficult and tragic.

The message read: “The fresh insight about the death of the CEO (President) of Access Bank Property, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who kicked the bucket in a helicopter crash in the US of America, has left me very stunned and crushed.

We likewise tragically lost Wigwe’s better half and child as well as the previous gathering executive of Nigeria Stock Trade, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, in the accident.

“The appalling occurrence is agonizing and awful and we appeal to God for God’s withstanding solace in this significantly troublesome time.

“Wigwe was a giant in Nigeria’s monetary area, driving Access Bank to turn into a worldwide brand that put Nigeria on the worldwide guide of five star monetary administrations.

“I sympathize with the Wigwe Family, the Ogunbanjo Family, Access Bank Holding, the Nigeria Stock Trade, companions and partners and supplicate that God will give all the guts to bear the unsalvageable misfortune.”