HERBERT WIGWE - GONE TOO SOON - by: Nasir El-Rufai - February 11, 2024
I was devastated to learn early on Saturday, February 10th of the tragic death of Herbert Wigwe along with this wife, son and friends in a helicopter crash in the USA. I was sad, very sad and had to sedate to sleep yesternight.
Herbert’s untimely death is a loss not only to his family and friends like us, but to Access Holdings, the financial services sector, the Nigerian economy, our nation and the Black Race at large.
Brilliant, visionary in thinking and focused at execution, of his strategies as CEO of Access, yet Herbert was humble, responsive, respectful and imbued with limitless generosity of spirit that one can easily mistake him as an officer in his management team.
My particular condolences to his brothers and mine from different mothers - Aig Imuokhede, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Aliko Dangote, Kashim Ibrahim Imam, and Abubakar Suleiman, plus countless others like Hadiza Ambursa of Access, and Khalifa Naziru Abdullahi of KK Kingdom - whose lives were touched positively by Herbert’s life, affection, decisions and actions. Please take heart.
On behalf of the Kaduna State State Government which I had the privilege to lead between 2015 and 2023, I thank Herbert for spearheading and financing the design, construction, furnishing and equipping of a mega-basic education school at Fifth Chukker, Mararraban Jos for thousands of out-of-school children in Igabi Local Government to support the human capital development policies of our administration. May God reward him immensely for this and his many other acts of altruistic and philanthropic goodness all over the world.
May the gentle souls of Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, son and others that died with him rest in perfect peace. Herbert is gone too son, but Access Holdings, Wigwe University and his many known and unknown endeavors including being the main enabler for the financing of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals complex remain indelible in our nation’s history.
Rest in Peace, Herbert, till we all join you. From God we all came and to Him we shall all return. Every one of us has his time. Yours came too soon, but Almighty Allah Knows best. Adieu.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU MOURNS CEO OF ACCESS HOLDINGS PLC, HERBERT WIGWE, FORMER GROUP CHAIRMAN OF NIGERIAN EXCHANGE GROUP, ABIMBOLA OGUNBANJO AND FAMILY MEMBERS
After receiving an 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, former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, along with members of the Wigwe family.
Mr. Herbert Wigwe, 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.
President Tinubu prays for the peaceful repose of the departed and asks God Almighty to comfort the multitude of Nigerians who are grieving and the families of the deceased at this deeply agonizing moment.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
February 11, 2024
I am shocked and deeply distressed by the news of the passing of Mr. Herbert Wigwe, a distinguished banker, humanitarian, and entrepreneur, and Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, along with members of the Wigwe family - Herbert’s wife, Chizoba, and son, Chizi.
Their passing is an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension.
I extend my condolences to the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, the business community, and all those impacted by this harrowing incident.
I pray for the peaceful repose of the departed and ask God Almighty to comfort the multitude of Nigerians who are grieving and the families of the deceased at this deeply agonizing moment.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Bimbola Ogunbanjo, a family
Man, a lawyer and group chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc perished in the helicopter crash. He was the Son of late Pa Chris Ogunbanjo father of corporate law … who died last year. This is a major loss to the family .. rest in peace 🕊️
This the third helicopter crash in the US this week alone and now it has taken 6 Nigerian lives. Lives that were planning for the future of our great country.
What is the FG doing about this. If the CEO of JPMorgan crashed his chopper in Nigeria, what would America do? How will they handle it?
What is the govt doing about this?
Our air route is the safest but we face more criticisms.
Half a family gone in a split second. Rest in peace Herbert Wigwe, Chizoba Wigwe and Chizo Wigwe! This is cutting Deep!!! This is a family gone gone gone just like that! My condolence to his other kids. My heart is with your family at the this time. This is so sad💔
This week, we are challenged to recognize and utilize the gifting, resources and potentials God has bestowed in and around us to achieve great things.
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