President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has mourned the sudden demise of the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son in a helicopter crash in California, USA.
Akpabio in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh describes the death of Wigwe as a big loss not only to the Nigerian banking and finance industry where he held sway, but also to the country as a whole.
According to Akpabio Wigwe’s contribution to the growth of the Nigerian banking industry and indeed the economy of the country were exemplary and commendable.
He added that Wigwe‘s vision in establishing a world-class university, the Wigwe University, to cater to the educational development of the country will be cherished as a memento of his love for Nigeria.
President of the Senate condoles with the Wigwe family, the Board and Management of Access Holdings, Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara and President Bola Tinubu for losing such a great son, iconic entrepreneur a serial investor at such a time that our country needs his services the most.
Meanwhile, Governor of the deceased home State of Rivers, Sim Fubara has expressed shock and sadness over his death along with his wife, Chizoba, son, and others in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, USA, describing the incident as a monumental disaster.
Governor Fubara, on behalf of his family, the State Government and people of Rivers State commiserates with the Wigwe family over this unfortunate incident, urging them to be comforted by God’s assurances of His love and outpouring of global sympathy on this deep pain and loss.
The Governor said there are no words to convey how terrible these losses are, and the state and indeed Nigeria will miss an unassuming, iconic and accomplished illustrious son of Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In his words, “Rivers State and the Nation are in tears because it would be extremely difficult to understand this sweeping loss of a family involving a strong pillar, accomplished banker and philanthropist with tentacles in the education sector”; the Governor said, noting that the prestigious Wigwe University which he pioneered must not be allowed to die”. The Wigwe University is located in Isiokpo, the headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has joined other well-meaning Nigerians and world leaders in mourning the co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe; his wife, Chizoba; their son; and former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, who died in an air crash in the United States at the weekend.
Mbah, who described Wigwe as a corporate titan, mourned the deaths as a monumental tragedy not only to Nigeria but also to the entire corporate world.
In a statement he personally signed on Sunday, the Governor said: “This news comes with deep shock and rubs in, once again, the vanity of life.
“Wigwe was a brother, a team player, philanthropist, visionary, and thoroughbred professional, who distinguished himself in the banking industry and corporate world, rising through the ranks to become a pioneer and titan of our time as well as an entrepreneur of global repute and reach.
“This incident is, therefore, an unspeakable disaster and monumental tragedy, not only to Nigeria, but also to the entire corporate world.
And the Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has also expressed his deepest condolences over the tragic death of the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son and others in a helicopter accident in the United States.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, Governor Otu said he
received with utmost shock and sadness, the tragic death of one of Nigeria’s sterling banker and business icon, Herbert Wigwe alongside his wife, son and others.
The Governor described his death as a huge blow to the banking and financial sector not just in Nigeria, but across Africa and the world.
He said the late Wigwe was a shining example of industry, brinksmanship and dedication to all of humanity, who has died
at a time when he was pioneering world class education through his Wigwe University.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
