The National Transportation
Safety Board says a preliminary report on the helicopter crash that claimed the
lives of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe,
and some prominent Nigerians in California, USA, on Friday will be released
within four weeks.
A Board Member at the NTSB,
Michael Graham, who disclosed in a press briefing, said the preliminary report
would provide initial insights into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their
son Chizi, and the former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Stock Exchange,
Abimola Ogunbanjo, lost their lives in the tragic air crash.
The Airbus Helicopter EC130B4,
which was carrying them, crashed at a border town between California and
Nevada. The unfortunate incident resulted in the demise of all six occupants,
including the two crew members.
Graham stated, “This would be
NTSB’s last on-scene press briefing. The unseen portion of the investigation
will continue until completed.
“As a reminder, a preliminary
report of the accident is expected within 30 days, and the full NTSB
investigation lasts 12 to 24 months before the final report is issued. Any
additional information about the status of the investigation will come from the
NTSB headquarters in Washington DC.”
Earlier, the investigation team
upon arrival at the scene had conducted aerial drone mapping and documented the
wreckage.
The US agency mentioned that
the wreckage was scheduled to be relocated to a secure facility on Tuesday for
further scrutiny and analysis.
The investigator clarified that
the flight track data concluded approximately a quarter mile from the wreckage
location.
The wreckage site reveals that
the helicopter impacted the terrain at a ‘nose-low and right-bank angle.
The investigators listed these
components, which include three main rotor blades, aircraft engine, tail rotor,
landing gear, and skids.
On Monday, the Federal
Government through the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau stated that it was
in talks with the NTSB to provide necessary support on the ongoing
investigation of the circumstances that led to the crash of the chopper.
The Director-General, NSIB,
Captain Alex Badeh, said the crash had brought a colossal loss to Nigeria,
adding, “Our hearts go out to the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families and loved ones
affected by this tragedy. We extend our deepest sympathies to them during this
difficult time.”
Herbert Wigwe is survived by
his four siblings, his 90-year-old father, Pastor Shingle Wigwe, who retired as
the director-general of the Nigerian Television Authority, his mother Mrs.
Wigwe, a nurse, and his four children.
Before his untimely passing,
Herbert Wigwe served as the leader of Nigeria’s largest bank by assets, Access
Bank, leaving a significant void in the institution. Nevertheless, the bank
swiftly announced his replacement on Monday.
Access Holdings Plc disclosed
the appointment of Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive
Officer.
The company’s Board of
Directors in a statement on Tuesday said Agbede’s appointment was contingent
upon the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
On Monday, Ogun State Governor,
Dapo Abiodun; Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote; and former Chief Executive
Officer of Access Bank PLC, Aig-Imoukhuede Aigboje, extended their sympathies
by visiting Wigwe’s family.
The outpouring of condolences
and visits from influential figures underscore the impact and recognition of
Herbert Wigwe’s contributions to the financial sector.
Tinubu extols Wigwe
The Group Chief Executive
Officer of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, has said the late GCEO of Access Holdings,
Herbert Wigwe, and himself had dreams to build big businesses.
Tinubu said this on Tuesday
while speaking with The PUNCH at the residence of the parents of the deceased
in Lagos.
Speaking about the personality
of the deceased, the Oando boss said, “Herbert was a first-class guy. He was a
kind, sweet, courageous, intelligent, supportive and loving gentleman. We all
worked very well with him. I worked with him from 1995 and we planned to build
big businesses, we visioned, we faced challenges, we fought them and we stayed
true to our goals.
“I was in continuous touch with
him and he did a lot of financing for my group. We work closely together, so
it’s a great loss. He was very supportive of a lot of charitable courses,
helping people with their school fees, their welfare and he really looked
forward to actualising his dream of building the Wigwe University, which he
started and by the grace of God, we will see it to its conclusion.”
Wigwe University situated in
Isiokpo, Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State, was approved by the
Nigerian University Commission in June 2023.
On what would become of Wigwe’s
legacies, Tinubu said that they would continue as “They are fundamental
institutions that really impact society. The bank is not just an African bank,
it has branches in the US, Dubai and I think China has already opened. The fact
is that he has already done a lot for the African financial community and the
business community at large. So, his legacy which are his institutions will be
here forever.”
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Meanwhile, our correspondent
gathered that several dignitaries paid condolence visits to the family of the
deceased on Tuesday.
Some of the dignitaries include
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, former Governor of Ogun State, Senator
Ibikunle Amosun, Wigwe’s friend, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhede; the founder of Diamond
Bank, Pascal Dozie. Recall that the Diamond Bank’s merger with Access Bank was
announced in 2018. The merger of Access Bank and Diamond Bank led to the
creation of Nigeria largest retail bank by customer and largest bank by assets.
Zenith mourns
Meanwhile, Zenith Bank Plc has
released a statement mourning the deceased.
“We mourn with the Wigwe family
and Access Holdings on the sudden transition of Dr. Herbert Wigwe CFR, his wife
Chizoba and his son Chizi. Dr. Wigwe was an inspiring leader devoted to
positive change and human empowerment. He left indelible footprints not only as
the Group CEO of Access Holdings, but also with his numerous contributions to
the advancement of the financial services industry and growth of the Nigerian
economy.
“In this trying period, we
remember the values he lived by and his humble and generous nature that made
him so dear to many. We reflect on the impact he had in the lives of others and
thank God Almighty for the legacy he left behind. May the souls of Herbert,
Chizoba and Chizi rest in the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ,” part of the
statement read.
Kinsmen declare mourning
Residents of the Omueke
community in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, the
hometown of late Herbert Wigwe, has declared an eight-day mourning, following
the unfortunate development.
Already, the eight days
mourning would begin on Wednesday 14th February, 2024, according to the
Paramount Ruler, HRM Blessing Wagor.
Our correspondent who visited
Omueke on Tuesday reports that many residents wore black as a sign of sympathy
over the death of their illustrious son.
Speaking with our
correspondent, the monarch, HRM Wagor describe Wigwe’s death as painful, saying
he touched many lives in the community, saying, “There is no family here that
has not benefitted from him.”
He said the eight days of
mourning would begin with a procession round the community, pointing out that
they were expecting visitors outside the community and the state.
The statement read in part,
“Nye –Nwe Ali and the entire Isiokpo ancient kingdom in Ikwerre Local
Government Area of Rivers State mourn the death of Herbert Wigwe, the chairman
of Access Holdings and Founder of Wigwe University.
“Royal Majesty, King Blessing
A.N Wagor, the Wagidi XL,Nye Nwe Ali, Isiokpo Ancient Kingdom has directed
eight days of mourning period.”
“The eight days mourning period
begins on Wednesday 14th to Wednesday 21 February 2024. All shops in the area
are to be closed from 8am – 4pm during the period of mourning.”
A relation of the late business
mogul, Pastor Nduka Nsirim, who spoke to our correspondent in the community on
Tuesday, said late Wigwe impacted positively on the people of the area, saying,
news of his death was unbelievable.
Nsirim, who said he works with
Arik Air stated, “When the news was confirmed, this whole village was no go
area. People were crying, falling on the streets because nobody in this village
will say he has not benefitted one thing or the other from him.
“A lot of young boys here are
rich because of him (Wigwe). He has made them not really by giving them money,
but through contacts.”
Meanwhile, work is still
ongoing at the Wigwe University which he founded as hundreds of workers were
seen in different areas going about their duties when our reporter visited the
facility occupying a wide land mass.
A female timekeeper at the site
who gave her name as Anidinma Awaji-Oyi, said since work started at the site,
hundreds of people from Isiokpo and outside the area have been engaged.
She said the news of Wigwe’s
death was shocking.
Asked how the workers received
the news, she said, “We felt very sad. Personally, I feel very sad because the
man was very good. In fact, anytime he was coming to the site the workers
always rejoice.
“We are always happy even if
you are not directly connected to him because he is not a bad person and the
way he talks to people, the way he walks round the site. Sometimes he comes
down from his vehicle and treks round.
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