Herbert Wigwe, Wife, Son, Finally Confirmed Dead in Chopper Crash: Atiku, Okonjo Iweala React

• A helicopter conveying the CEO of Access Bank and Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, and others aboard, crashed in California, United States
• The chopper, a Eurocopter EC 130, was en route to Las Vegas when it sadly crashed between Nevada and California
• After the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in a statement, disclosed that all onboard are dead, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the DG of the WTO, also made a tweet which confirmed Herbert Wigwe's demise

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public journalism.

California, USA - Herbert Wigwe, the group chief executive officer (CEO) of the Access Bank, has been confirmed dead by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director general (DG) of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Wigwe, 57, his wife, and his son are believed to be among the six passengers in a helicopter that crashed in the USA on Saturday, February 10.

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It was gathered that the ill-fated Flight N130CZ, operated by Orbic Air LLC, took off from Palm Springs, California, in the night but was last seen near Fort Irwin/Barstow.

Wigwe’s Access Bank is one of Africa’s leading financial institutions.

In a tweet on her known X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday night, February 10, Okonjo-Iweala wrote:

"Terribly saddened by the news of the terrible loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group CEO Access Bank @HerbertOWigwe, his wife and son as well as Bimbo Ogunbanjo in a helicopter crash.

"My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Wigwe family, the Ogunbanjo family, Access Bank Group employees and Management @myaccessbank and my younger Brother Herbert’s partner Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace."

Similarly, Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 and 2023 elections, commented via X:

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"I'm deeply saddened to hear about the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, and his family. Indeed, Herbert Wigwe, consummate banker, education promoter, and philanthropist, numbered his days. On behalf of my family, my heart goes out to their loved ones and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident. May their souls rest in peace."

Also, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state, released a statement.

His statement read:

"The news of the passing of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Access Bank Holdings, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash in the United States of America, has left me 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.

"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."

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What to read about Herbert Wigwe:

• Herbert Wigwe: 7 Facts about Access Bank boss who reportedly died in chopper crash
• "Horrible news": Nigerians react as Herbert Wigwe, wife and son die in helicopter crash
• Access Bank buys another bank, Herbert Wigwe speaks on achievement

Herbert Wigwe saw his death

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a past tweet made by Wigwe surfaced online.

In a tweet on his known X (formerly Twitter) handle on January 29, the banker urged people to live a life of purpose.

He also encouraged kindness and gratitude, two honourable human traits.

Source: Legit.ng