{"id":13455,"date":"2024-02-11T23:09:30","date_gmt":"2024-02-11T23:09:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/?p=13455"},"modified":"2024-02-11T23:09:30","modified_gmt":"2024-02-11T23:09:30","slug":"black-superbowl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/black-superbowl\/","title":{"rendered":"BLACK SUPERBOWL:"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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BLACK SUPERBOWL in AMERICA:
Untold Last Moment of Access Bank CEO, HERBERT WIGWE, wife, son, 3 others in Helicopter Crash, Chopper on Fire<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/strong>\u2026had 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’<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


*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
*\u201cThe 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<\/strong>
*”Herbert Wigwe\u2019s death, an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension”-TINUBU, Nigeria President<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


*BY GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU\/<\/strong>AMERICA Senior Investigative Editor<\/strong><\/em> & TINA RHODES, <\/strong>Senior Aviation Correspondent, California<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


UNPUBLISHED facts have emerged on the circumstances surrounding the last moment when the chartered chopper transporting Herbert Wigwe, the Chief Executive Officer of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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


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”.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


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\u2019s Mojave Desert.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


“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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


*U.S NTSB INVESTIGATION: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crashed Helicopter That Killed Wigwe, Others Caught Fire On Impact With Terrain, Full Probe Report Could Take 24 Months \u2013US 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


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 \u201cthe helicopter impacted the terrain south of I-15 near Halloran Springs, California,\u201d 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, \u201cAs far as we know\u2026there was fire when the aircraft did contact the terrain.”
He explained that witnesses said there \u201cwas rain with wintry mix\u201d when the accident occurred.
Graham, however, warned that investigators were still working on determining the exact weather at the time of the crash.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


\u201cThis is the beginning of a long process. We will not jump to any conclusions,\u201d Graham said.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) posted on its website, without naming the victims that \u201ca Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter crashed near Nipton, California, around 10 pm local time on Friday, Feb. 9. Six people were on board.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


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, \u201cToday and always, let us remember that life is a precious gift-a chance to breathe, feel, love, experience and connect.
\u201cLet\u2019s honour this gift by living with purpose, kindness, and gratitude, making every moment count. Let us number our days.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

*How I narrowly escaped death In Helicopter Crash-FALEYE OLUSHOLA, Senior Aide to WIGWE<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


According to ThisDay,<\/em> 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Meanwhile, Access Bank Plc has said it lacks \u201cspecific information\u201d 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, \u201cWe have received numerous inquiries concerning an airplane crash in the USA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


\u201cPresently, we lack specific information; however, we are actively collaborating with US authorities who will furnish updates.
\u201cYour understanding and support are valued, and we commit to keeping you informed promptly as we receive updates on the situation.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Access Holdings Confirms, Mourns Death Of Wigwe, family:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


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.<\/strong> Wigwe died alongside five others including his wife and son.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


In a statement signed by Sunday Ekwochi, Group Company Secretary on Sunday and titled, \u2018Access Holdings Plc Announces The Passing Of Its Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR,\u2019 Access Holdings expressed its condolences to the family and loved ones of the late CEO.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


It, however, said its board would proceed to appoint an Acting Group Chief Executive Officer following Wigwe\u2019s death.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


It said, \u201cIt 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.
\u201cThe 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.
\u201cCommenting on the passage of Dr. Wigwe, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings said: \u201cThe 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


“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, \u201cToday, we bid farewell to a visionary leader, Herbert O. Wigwe, whose passion and unwavering commitment to excellence transformed Access into a global powerhouse.
\u201cHis legacy of excellence and compassion will continue to inspire us all.
\u201cRest in peace, Herbert Wigwe. Your impact will forever be felt.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


*Nigeria President reacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Wigwe\u2019s 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 \u201can overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


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.
\u201cBola Tinubu receives the news with shock and deep distress\u2026 and mourns these exceptional Nigerian business leaders,\u201d a statement on Sunday by the President\u2019s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, read.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


The statement is titled, \u2018President Tinubu mourns CEO of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo and family members.\u2019
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, \u201cIt is with deep sadness that the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (\u2018the Company\u2019) announces the passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the Company\u2019s founding Group Chief Executive Officer and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary Access Bank Plc (\u2018the Bank\u2019).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


\u201cDr. Wigwe died alongside his wife and son on Friday, February 9, 2024 in a helicopter accident in the United States of America.
\u201cThe entire Access family mourns the loss of Herbert, Doreen, and Chizi. We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones.\u201d
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.
\u201cPresident 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,\u201d said Ngelale<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


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\u2019s 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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