•Seeks collaboration with US NTSB on investigation

•As Govs Obaseki, Diri, Oborevwori, others mourn

By Victor AhiumaYoung, Dickson Omobola, Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa, Chioma Onuegbu, Uyo, & Gabriel Enogholase

The Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, have called on the United States’ government and its relevant agencies to thoroughly investigate the cause of the helicopter crash that claimed the life of Access Holdings Plc’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son and the former Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo.

They also called for active collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NSIB and relevant agencies in Nigeria and the US National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB, in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO’s Annex 13 to unravel the cause of the crash.

According to Chapter 5 subsection 27 of ICAO’s Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation – Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation, a state (nation) can be granted participation if it has special interest in an accident involving its citizens.

The quartet lost their lives, weekend, in the United States of America to a tragic crash, which the US authorities have attributed to rain and wintry weather conditions.

Also , prominent politicians, including the the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwor, the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, and the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, have joined other Nigerians to mourn the late Wigwe and others.

Conveying their condolences and sympathy to the deceased family in separate messages, they described Wigwe’s death as shocking, devastating and a colossal national loss, which has created a huge vacuum in the financial services sector.

Rivers Reps caucus seeks probe of helicopter crash

Leader of the Rivers State caucus in the House of Rep., Dunamenne Dekor, who called for the probe in a statement, Monday, urged the United State’s government to make the result of its findings public upon conclusion.

He said: “Our hearts are heavy with sorrow as we extend our deepest condolences to the Wigwe family and loved ones during this distressing time. ‘Dr Herbert Wigwe played a prominent role in the financial banking community, education and welfare.

“His leadership at Access Holdings Plc has left an indelible mark on the industry.

“As we mourn the loss of our son; a nationalist, lover of Rivers State, a visionary and compassionate leader, we take solace in the very remarkable impact he made in the financial sector, education, and particularly, his philanthropic lifestyle and belief that the well-being of a people is the only thing that has intrinsic value.

“The caucus is calling on the United States of America and its relevant agencies, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and all relevant institutions and agencies of government to thoroughly investigate the cause of this ill-fated helicopter crash in California and make public its findings.

“We fervently hope that the authorities will successfully locate and provide the necessary support to the families of the victims of this devastating incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wigwe family and all those who have been impacted by this tragic event.”

NSIB seeks collaboration with NTSB to uncover cause of air crash

Expressing willingness to collaborate with NTSB in the investigation, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, exercised Nigeria’s prerogative for active participation in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO’s Annex 13.

A statement by NSIB on X, formerly Twitter, said: “ICAO’s Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil therefore grants Nigeria, through the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, the prerogative to appoint an expert to actively participate in the investigation. This participation ensures access to relevant information and facilitates cooperation with the investigating authorities towards ensuring the investigation reaches a conclusive outcome.

“5.27: A state which has a special interest in an accident by virtue of fatalities or serious injuries to its citizens shall be entitled to appoint an expert who shall be entitled to:

a. visit the scene of the accident;

b. have access to the relevant information which is approved for public release by the state conducting the investigation, and information on the progress of the investigation; and

c. receive a copy of the final report.”

Obaseki shocked, devastated by passing of Wigwe, wife, son, Ogunbanjo, others

Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said that the news of Wigwe’s death has left him extremely shocked and devastated.

He described the passing on of Wigwe and others that died in the crash as tragic loss and heart wrenching to Nigerians.

“We also unfortunately lost Wigwe’s wife and son as well as the former group chairman of Nigeria Exchange Group, 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.

“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’s family, the Ogunbanjo’s family, Access Holdings, the Nigeria Exchange Limited, his friends and associates and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

Wigwe’s death shocking, unbelievable – Diri

Also speaking, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, said that he is still grappling with the reality of the tragic and sudden death of Dr. Herbert Wigwe.

Diri, in a statement, described Wigwe as a dear friend and brother, who understood what friendship and brotherhood meant.

He said Wigwe’s death was a personal loss as their friendship was mutual, cordial and brotherly, adding, “the consummate banker and businessman carved a niche for touching lives and bringing dreams to reality.”

He recalled how Wigwe through Access Bank positively impacted youths in Bayelsa by partnering with the government to organise the maiden edition of the state’s sports festival in 2023, noting that his life of philanthropy was exemplary.

Diri also said the devastating effect of Wigwe’s demise was how it would affect those whose dreams and aspirations were connected to him.

While commiserating with the Wigwe family, the family of his late wife as well as the management and staff of Access Bank Plc, the Bayelsa governor said “his state, Rivers State, the South-South and, indeed, Nigeria lost an illustrious son.”

He prayed to God to grant eternal repose to the souls of victims of the fatal crash.

Death heartbreaking, startling – Oborevwori

Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, also expressed shock and sadness over their death, describing it as awful, heartbreaking, startling, and devastating.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Governor Oborevwori remarked that Wigwe was a visionary leader and a thoroughbred professional who had a huge impact on the banking and business environment, noting that the corporate world in Nigeria would miss him a great deal.

He commiserated with the deceased family, Access Holdings, friends and loved ones, and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.

Governor Oborevwori said: “I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate news of the death of Mr. Herbert Wigwe, the Group CEO of Access Bank, alongside his wife and son as well as Abimbola Ogunbanjo, a former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, and others in a helicopter crash in the United States of America.

“Wigwe was a visionary leader who had a big influence on Nigeria’s banking industry. His passing is, undoubtedly, a devastating loss for the financial sector.

“My sincere condolences to his family, colleagues at Access Holdings, friends, and loved ones in this difficult time. May God grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss and may the souls of the departed find eternal rest in the bossom of our Lord.”

Wigwe’s tragic death, a colossal national loss, says Akwa Ibom ex-Gov Udom

The immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, described

the sudden and tragic death of Dr. Herbert Wigwe as a colossal national loss which has created a huge vacuum in the financial services sector.

Emmanuel in a statement yesterday by his former media aide, Dr Essien Ndueso, described the late Wigwe as a brilliant professional whose innovations positively contributed to the emergence of an attractive digitized banking system in Nigeria.  

His words: “The news of the sudden death of Dr Herbert Wigwe, a brother and compatriot in a helicopter crash in the United States is a devastating loss to our country.  

“More shattering is that Herbert died in the crash alongside his lovely wife, Chizoba and son. From the banking halls, Herbert grew to become a colossus of the industry and later ventured and excelled in other aspects of human life like education and philanthropy.

“The sudden and tragic death of our brother is a colossal national loss which has created a huge vacuum in the financial services sector as well as in the hearts of many people that encountered him.

“We can only take solace in his own words where he counseled that we must all remember to count our days as life is just an opportunity.

“My heart and prayers go out to the Wigwe family, the management and staff of Access Bank and the banking community as a whole, as well as the families of others who lost their lives in that devastating tragedy.”

The former governor further prayed God to grant all the fortitude to bear the heavy  

Ngige grieves, says Wigwe was one of his youngest friends

Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, described the death of Wigwe, who he said was his youngest friend, as shocking and untimely.

In a tribute he addressed to the Chairman of Access Holdings Plc, Dr. Mrs. Dere Awosika, through his Media Office Abuja, Ngige said: “I am in grief. Herbert was very dear to me. He was my youngest friend who I fondly called ‘Herbie the tough’. The memories of his last visit to my office, while I served as minister, are still very fresh in my mind. I never had an inkling that he would leave us very soon.

“His death is a personal loss to me. The vacuum created by his death will be very difficult to fill in Access Holdings and Access Bank. The banking industry and financial sector lost a great gem. The Ikwere people of Rivers State have lost one of their financial princes and gurus of unquantifiable value. Indeed, he will be sorely missed in many quarters.”

Ngige commiserated with Access Holdings Plc. and the Chairman, Dr. Awosika, and prayed that God grants them the fortitude to bear the heavy loss. He also prayed to God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.