Nigeria minister of Aviation and
Aerospace Technology, Festus Keyamo, SAN and governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo have relieved their last moments with late Herbert Wigwe.
The co-founder of Access Bank, the CEO of Access Holdings and the founder of Wigwe University, died in helicopter crash in California, United States last week Friday.
According to official sources, eight persons died, including Wigwe son, wife and Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), while12 injured people in the crash were evacuated to hospital.
In their tributes, Keyamo described Wigwe’s death as “very devastating, recalling that Wigwe was earlier this week in my office (where we took the pictures and actually left my office to fly out of the country and never came back”.
He said, “I am also shocked to learn his wife, son and other friends were involved in this tragedy.
“We were on the verge of announcing something big for the aviation sector, the reason he actually came to the office with his entire team, both from Access and Wigwe University. This is surreal and I am lost for words.
“May Almighty God comfort his aged parents and sibling (who were also my neighbours in Lagos for many years as a very young lawyer in Anthony Village), his immediate family members, his staff, friends across Nigeria and dependents”, Keyamo said.
In his part, Governor Soludo wrote on social Media, “To think that we were together about two weeks ago with a promise to meet again this week makes the announcement of Herbert’s death tragic”.
“This is another stark reminder of the ephemerality of life. While Herbert lived a life of impact and purpose, I am pained that there was much more he had for humanity that his sudden exit has denied us.
“I am just speechless!”, Soludo said.
In a condolence letter on Sunday, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, said the demise of Access Bank Holdings, has left him extremely shocked and devastated.
“We also unfortunately lost Wigwe’s wife and son as well as the former group chairman of Nigeria Stock Exchange, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, in the crash.
“The tragic incident is painful and heart wrenching and we pray for God’s abiding comfort in this profoundly difficult time”, Obaseki said.
He said, “Wigwe was a colossus in Nigeria’s financial sector, leading Access Bank to become an international brand that placed Nigeria on the global map of first class financial services.
“I commiserate with the Wigwe family, the Ogunbanjo family, Access Bank Holding, the Nigeria Stock Exchange, friends and associates and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has prayed for the peaceful repose of the departed business mogul, and asks God Almighty to comfort the multitude of Nigerians who are grieving and the families of the deceased at this deeply agonizing moment.
Tinubu in a condolence letter by his Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale on Sunday, described “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.
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