BLACK SUPERBOWL in AMERICA:
Untold Last Moment of Access Bank CEO, HERBERT WIGWE, wife, son, 3 others in Helicopter Crash, Chopper on Fire
…had premonition of death few days earlier, posted a message on Twitter which read ‘Today and always, let us remember that life is a precious gift, making every moment count; Let us number our days’
*Held hands with wife, son, prayed, scream: ‘J-e-s-u-s, help us, we are in your care’ as saved inside the Helicopter Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorder’-Aviation Security source in United States Agency, NTSB
*How I narrowly escaped death In Helicopter Crash-FALEYE OLUSHOLA, Senior Aide to WIGWE
*“The Access Family has suffered a major loss with the passing of Dr. Wigwe who was a great friend and fine gentleman. He had a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and vast business experience which he brought to bear on the Access Family and for which we owe him a debt of gratitude. The entire Access family mourns the loss of Herbert, Doreen, and Chizi. We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones”-Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings
*”Herbert Wigwe’s death, an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension”-TINUBU, Nigeria President
*BY GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/AMERICA Senior Investigative Editor & TINA RHODES, Senior Aviation Correspondent, California
UNPUBLISHED facts have emerged on the circumstances surrounding the last moment when the chartered chopper transporting Herbert Wigwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, his wife, Doreen, son, Chizi; a former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Abimbola Ogunbanjo and two other people on board with him crashed in California, United States of America.
A reliable aviation security source in United States Agency, NTSB, not authorized to speak to the press confided in NAIJA STANDARD Newspaper that from the sounds inside the Helicopter Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorder, it was gathered that when the turbulence occurred in the air that Wigwe held hands with wife, son, prayed, screamed aloud: “J-e-s-u-s, help us, we are in your care”.
The chopper was headed to Las Vegas when it crashed near a border city between Nevada and California on Friday night.
Our reporters gathered Wigwe left Lagos State, Nigeria, on Wednesday to watch the Super Bowl 58, an American football competition ‘The LVIII’ that held on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Wigwe, family, others are reported to have been en-route to Boulder City, Nevada from from Palm Springs, California, on Friday night when the helicopter conveying them crashed at about 10 pm, near a small town in California’s Mojave Desert.
“Wigwe’s wife and kid also died in the crash. He left Lagos on Wednesday on Wednesday to watch the U.S. Super Bowl.
“One Bimbo Ogunbanjo was also on the flight. Bimbo Ogunbanjo is the son of business man, Chris Ogunbanjo,” a top source revealed on Saturday.
Herbert Wigwe and the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, were absent at the Access Bank Lagos Marathon on Saturday.
The governor was represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat.
*U.S NTSB INVESTIGATION:
Crashed Helicopter That Killed Wigwe, Others Caught Fire On Impact With Terrain, Full Probe Report Could Take 24 Months –US Agency, NTSB
United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed that the helicopter in which Herbert Wigwe was travelling caught fire after it crashed.
A board member, Michael Graham, who disclosed this during a media briefing on the ill-fated helicopter crash on Sunday, confirmed that six persons, including two crew members, died in the crash.
Briefing reporters, Graham said that the tragic incident occurred about 90 minutes after the charter flight took off, adding that “the helicopter impacted the terrain south of I-15 near Halloran Springs, California,” about 75 miles (120 kilometres) northeast of the city of Barstow.
Although the NTSB board member said that the ongoing investigation would reveal the cause of the crash, he added, “As far as we know…there was fire when the aircraft did contact the terrain.”
He explained that witnesses said there “was rain with wintry mix” when the accident occurred.
Graham, however, warned that investigators were still working on determining the exact weather at the time of the crash.
“This is the beginning of a long process. We will not jump to any conclusions,” Graham said.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) posted on its website, without naming the victims that “a Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter crashed near Nipton, California, around 10 pm local time on Friday, Feb. 9. Six people were on board.”
Graham warned that it could take 12 to 24 months for the full report on the investigation to be ready.
Meanwhile, an Aviation Security source in United States Agency, NTSB revealed that sounds saved inside the Helicopter Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorder revealed “Herbert Wigwe hands with wife, son, prayed, scream: “J-e-s-u-s, help us, we are in your care”.
They were going from Palm Springs Airport to Boulder City, Nevada when the accident occurred.
WIGWE’S Death Premonition:
Three weeks before the crash that claimed his life, the late Group Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, had posted in January about appreciating life as a gift and valuing each day.
In a tweet posted on his official X handle on January 19, Wigwe wrote, “Today and always, let us remember that life is a precious gift-a chance to breathe, feel, love, experience and connect.
“Let’s honour this gift by living with purpose, kindness, and gratitude, making every moment count. Let us number our days.”
*How I narrowly escaped death In Helicopter Crash-FALEYE OLUSHOLA, Senior Aide to WIGWE:
Olushola, the Special Assistant to the Co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe miraculously escaped death on Friday night in the ill-fated helicopter crash that claimed the lives of his boss, wife and son.
somehow, Olushola whose name was in the manifest, escaped death as he did not board the ill-fated flight after opting to travel by road.
According to ThisDay, Olushola flew with Wigwe, his wife, son and former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo from London, United Kingdom to Palm Spring, a city in California, US.
But on getting to Palm Spring, Olushola declined to board the ill-fated flight going to Boulder City in Nevada, insisting that he would not travel by helicopter at night due to the weather conditions.
He was said to have opted to travel to Boulder City by road and escaped the air disaster, that claimed the lives of four others.
Meanwhile, Access Bank Plc has said it lacks “specific information” about the death of the Group Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, United States of America.
The bank, however, said it was collaborating with US authorities who will furnish it with more information.
The bank in a tweet on Sunday said, “We have received numerous inquiries concerning an airplane crash in the USA.
“Presently, we lack specific information; however, we are actively collaborating with US authorities who will furnish updates.
“Your understanding and support are valued, and we commit to keeping you informed promptly as we receive updates on the situation.”
*Access Holdings Confirms, Mourns Death Of Wigwe, family:
Access Holdings Plc has mourned the passing of its founding Group Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe, who recently died in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, United States of America. Wigwe died alongside five others including his wife and son.
In a statement signed by Sunday Ekwochi, Group Company Secretary on Sunday and titled, ‘Access Holdings Plc Announces The Passing Of Its Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR,’ Access Holdings expressed its condolences to the family and loved ones of the late CEO.
It, however, said its board would proceed to appoint an Acting Group Chief Executive Officer following Wigwe’s death.
It said, “It is with deep sadness that the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (the Company) announces the passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the Company’s founding Group Chief Executive Officer and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank). Dr. Wigwe died alongside his wife and son on Friday, February 9, 2024 in a helicopter accident in the United States of America.
“The entire Access Family mourns the loss of Herbert, Doreen and Chizi. We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones. Dr. Wigwe was a key driving force and a larger-than-life personality who brought his remarkable passion, energy, and experience to the transformation of the Access franchise since joining the Bank in 2002.
“Commenting on the passage of Dr. Wigwe, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings said: “The Access Family has suffered a major loss with the passing of Dr. Wigwe who was a great friend and fine gentleman. He had a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and vast business experience which he brought to bear on the Access Family and for which we owe him a debt of gratitude.
“In line with the Company’s policy, the Board will soon announce the appointment of an Acting Group Chief Executive Officer even as we remain confident that the Access Group will build further on Dr. Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence.”
In a message on X on Sunday, Access Bank Plc also mourned the death of Wigwe, saying, “Today, we bid farewell to a visionary leader, Herbert O. Wigwe, whose passion and unwavering commitment to excellence transformed Access into a global powerhouse.
“His legacy of excellence and compassion will continue to inspire us all.
“Rest in peace, Herbert Wigwe. Your impact will forever be felt.”
*Nigeria President reacts:
Wigwe’s death shocking beyond comprehension, Tinubu mourns. President Bola Tinubu has described the death of the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, as “an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension.”
This came after the official confirmation of a helicopter crash that killed the top banker, former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc., Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, along with members of the Wigwe family.
“Bola Tinubu receives the news with shock and deep distress… and mourns these exceptional Nigerian business leaders,” a statement on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, read.
The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu mourns CEO of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo and family members.’
Wigwe died in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, United States of America, on Friday.
On Sunday, Access Holdings Plc confirmed the accident and those killed in the helicopter accident.
A statement signed by the Group Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, read, “It is with deep sadness that the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) announces the passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the Company’s founding Group Chief Executive Officer and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’).
“Dr. Wigwe died alongside his wife and son on Friday, February 9, 2024 in a helicopter accident in the United States of America.
“The entire Access family mourns the loss of Herbert, Doreen, and Chizi. We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones.”
United States authorities said preliminary reports suggest that a wintry weather condition contributed to the crash.
The President condoled with the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, the business community, and all those impacted by this harrowing incident.
“President Tinubu prays for the peaceful repose of the departed and asks God Almighty to comfort the multitude of Nigerians who are grieving and the families of the deceased at this deeply agonising moment,” said Ngelale
Born on August 15, 1966, Wigwe would go on to become a banker and entrepreneur, ultimately becoming one of the biggest names and leaders in Nigeria’s banking and financial sector. He was also the Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, succeeding his business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, from January 2014 till April 2022.
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