Prominent Nigerians including President Bola Tinubu and some state governors have joined other famous citizens to mourn the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Mr Herbert Wigwe, who died in a chopper crash in the United States on Friday.
They described the deceased as a brilliant banker under whose leadership the bank grew in leaps and bounds.
Wigwe, his wife, Doreen; son Chizi; and a former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, lost their lives in the helicopter crash which occurred near a border town between California and Nevada.
Earlier on Saturday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, and Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had expressed shock over the death of the top banker and co-travellers.
On Sunday, the president, some state governors, friends and associated described the deceased as an exceptional banker.
Access was ranked 65th when Wigwe and his co-founder bought it, but the bank was reportedly one of the top four by the time he died.
Under his leadership, Access Bank experienced rapid growth including the landmark transformation of lender into a group or holding company.
The late Access Holdings group chief executive officer was about 36 years old when he co-founded Access Bank.
The Central Bank of Nigeria powerbrokers reportedly said they were young and almost frustrated with the deal.
Under Wigwe, Access Bank which had years earlier acquired Intercontinental Bank, also bought Diamond Bank.
On Sunday, Tinubu described the death of the prominent Nigerians as a monumental loss.
According to him, Wigwe’s death has created a void that will be difficult to fill.
He condoled the families of the deceased, the management and staff of Access Holdings, the business communities, and the Rivers State Government on the tragic incident.
He said, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe and five others. My thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time.
“Herbert Wigwe was not only a respected business leader but also a role model for many aspiring entrepreneurs. His contributions to the banking sector and the Nigerian economy will always be remembered.”
Also, Kwara State Governor/Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the incident was a huge loss to not just the Nigerian business community but to the entire country and its people who would miss the immense impacts of the two businessmen.
AbdulRazaq, in a statement signed by chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, sent his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ogunbanjo, who died in the same crash.
The governor asks God Almighty to repose their souls and give comfort to their families and the rest of the country at this difficult moment.
Meanwhile, there are indications Nigeria may waive its right to participate in the investigation of the crash.
In line with the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organisation Annex 13, Nigeria has the right to request to participate in the investigation.
Part of the ICAO provision reads, “A state which has a special interest in an accident, by virtue of fatalities or serious injuries to its citizens for instance, is entitled to appoint an expert entitled to: visit the scene of the accident; have access to the relevant factual information which is approved for public release by the State conducting the investigation, and information on the progress of the investigation; receive a copy of the accident investigation Final Report. ICAO officials only participate in accident investigations upon special request from the State responsible for conducting the investigation.”
However, top officials of aviation told The media on Sunday the Federal Government might opt to waive the right.
According to them, Nigeria does not have doubt about the US NTSB’s capacity to conduct a thorough and transparent and, as such, may not request to join in the probe.
“We are not likely to request to join in the investigation. Nigeria is not suspecting any foul play neither are we doubting the US’s capacity to conduct a thorough investigation. However, the only thing we may do is to write to request a progress report before the release of the final report,” a top official of the Ministry of Aviation who is not authorised to speak on the matter told The PUNCH on condition of anonymity.
The meda further gathered that the Federal Government might only seek to join in the investigation if any members of the deceased families write and indicated a foul play had been suspected.
