Atiku, Okonjo-Iweala, Keyamo, others mourn Wigwe, Ogunbanjo, others

Many Nigerians on Saturday expressed condolences to the household of Herbert Wigwe, Entry Holdings Chief Government Officer, who was concerned in a helicopter crash in the USA late Friday.

Mr Wigwe, his spouse, and his son are believed to be among the many six passengers in a helicopter that crashed within the US early Saturday Nigerian time (late Friday native time).

Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former group chairman of Nigerian Change Group Plc (NGX Group), is additionally believed to be a part of the passengers.

The Eurocopter EC130 helicopter crashed round 10 p.m. native time close to Nipton, Calif, an unincorporated group roughly 60 miles south of Las Vegas in japanese San Bernardino County, in response to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Officers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Division had been notified of the downed plane at 10:12 p.m. native time, in response to Mara Rodriguez, a public data officer with the division. She added that the crash web site was positioned east of Interstate 15, close to Halloran Springs Street.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the ill-fated Flight N130CZ, operated by Orbic Air LLC, took off from Palm Springs, California, at 8:45 p.m. however was final seen close to Fort Irwin/Barstow, California, at 9:49 p.m., Friday.

The reason for the crash of the Airbus Helicopter EC-130 stays unclear as of press time Sunday morning.

The Director-Basic of the World Commerce Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said in a message posted Saturday on her X deal with that she feels deeply saddened by Mr Wigwe’s passing.

“Terribly saddened by the information of the horrible lack of Herbert Wigwe, Group CEO Entry Financial institution, his spouse and son in addition to Bimbo Ogunbanjo in a helicopter crash.

“My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Wigwe household, the Ogunbanjo household, Entry Financial institution Group staff and Administration @myaccessbank and my youthful Brother Herbert’s accomplice Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. Might the souls of the departed relaxation in excellent peace,” she wrote.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP) within the final election and former vice chairman of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, described the dying of Mr Wigwe as an unlucky incident.

He additionally expressed condolences and sympathy to the households and family members of the deceased.

“Within the phrases of one in all Nigeria’s most interesting CEOs, Herbert Wigwe, ‘Right this moment and at all times, allow us to keep in mind that life is a treasured present – an opportunity to breathe, really feel, love, expertise and join. Let’s honour this present by dwelling with goal, kindness, and gratitude, making each second depend. Allow us to quantity our days’.

“I’m deeply saddened to listen to in regards to the unlucky incident that led to the lack of Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Government Officer of Entry Holdings Plc, and his household. Certainly, Herbert Wigwe, consummate banker, training promoter, and philanthropist, numbered his days. On behalf of my household, my coronary heart goes out to their family members and everybody affected by this unlucky incident. Might their souls relaxation in peace.”

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Improvement, Festus Keyamo, additionally paid his tribute whereas describing Mr Wigwe’s passing as a tragic lack of a good friend.

“The reported tragic lack of my good friend, brother and not-far-away neighbour in Lagos, Herbert Wigwe, the co-founder of Entry Financial institution, the CEO of Entry Holdings and the founding father of Wigwe College, may be very devastating.

“He was in my workplace earlier this week (the place we took the images under) and truly left my workplace to fly overseas and by no means got here again. I’m additionally shocked to be taught his spouse, son and different associates had been concerned on this tragedy.

“We had been on the verge of saying one thing large for the aviation sector, the rationale he really got here to the workplace together with his complete workforce, each from Entry and Wigwe College. That is surreal and I’m misplaced for phrases.

“Might Almighty God consolation his aged dad and mom and siblings (who had been additionally my neighbours in Lagos for a few years as a really younger lawyer in Anthony Village), his rapid relations, his employees, associates throughout Nigeria and dependents,” he stated.

A former Nigeria senator, Shehu Sani, in an announcement posted on his X deal with on Saturday, described the dying of Mr Wigwe as tragic and heartbreaking.

“The information of the dying of Entry Financial institution CEO Herbert Wigwe and 5 others in a helicopter crash is tragic, unhappy and heartbreaking. A fantastic loss. Might their souls relaxation in peace,” he stated.

Adamu Garba, an IT entrepreneur and Nigerian politician, in his remarks, said Mr Wigwe’s power, dedication to responsibility, and dedication to excellence are unceasing.

“The dying of Herbert Wigwe, the CEO of AccessBank Plc, actually actually touched me. I recall in 2011 when Herbert was the COO of Entry Financial institution, the IT division was below him. I used to be knowledgeable IT guide for an integration mission on the financial institution.

“We migrated their mailboxes and merged them with these of Intercontinental Financial institution, after the acquisition. I proceeded to deploy what is known as Proper Administration Companies RMS to guard their data stream. That was a requirement for his or her processes of compliance with ISO 27001 certification. It was vital at that second.

“Throughout testing, Herbert would be the first to answer every time we ship a take a look at mail, irrespective of how late. He would be the first to verify if issues work or don’t. I used to be not shocked within the least when he turned the CEO afterwards.

“His power, dedication to responsibility, and dedication to excellence are unceasing. Might God in his infinite mercy bless his soul, and that of his spouse and son with everlasting resting place.”

Others

Ndubuisi Ekekwe, a professor and a United States-based innovator and tech entrepreneur, described Mr Wigwe as one in all Nigeria’s most interesting entrepreneurs and businessmen.

“Herbert Wigwe, one in all Nigeria’s most interesting bankers and 2018 Tekedia Businessperson Of The Yr has died. Bloomberg studies that he died in a helicopter crash in Southern California, together with different individuals, together with a few of his relations.

READ ALSO: Entry Financial institution speaks on Herbert Wigwe’s deadly accident, says cooperating with US

“As I wrote after I selected him because the businessperson of the 12 months – “For that bravado and imaginative and prescient, understanding that in a digital banking future, marginal value is all the pieces, and scale improves competitiveness, I’ve chosen Herbert Wigwe as my Businessperson of the Yr” – Herbert had an unusual functionality to suppose large.

“Nigeria and certainly Africa mourn one in all its most interesting entrepreneurs and businessmen. Our condolences to everybody affected by this tragedy, and pray for energy to beat.”

The Director-Basic of the Nationwide Info Expertise Improvement Company, (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, described Mr Wigwe as a visionary chief whose ardour prolonged past finance.

“I’m deeply saddened by the lack of Herbert Wigwe, CEO of Entry Holdings Plc, who handed away tragically in a helicopter accident. A visionary chief, Herbert’s ardour prolonged past finance; he was profoundly dedicated to supporting Nigerian youth.

“By means of The HOW Basis, he devoted himself to empowering the subsequent technology, and his efforts to determine Wigwe College showcase his unwavering perception within the transformative energy of training.

“Herbert’s legacy of nurturing younger minds and fostering academic alternatives will proceed to encourage us. Our ideas are together with his family members throughout this time. Relaxation in peace, Herbert. Your affect is not going to be forgotten,” he stated.

Asue Ighodalo, a Nigerian lawyer and Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP) governorship aspirant for the forthcoming Edo gubernatorial election, additionally expressed grief over the demise of Mr Wigwe.

Mr Ighodalo in a statement posted through his X deal with on Saturday evening described Mr Wigwe’s dying as disturbing whereas expressing condolences and sympathy to the households and family members of the deceased.

“I’m deeply saddened to be taught of the passing of my pricey brother Herbert Wigwe, his spouse and son in addition to my pricey brother Abimbola Ogunbanjo and two others on this most unlucky helicopter crash close to Califonia.

“Phrases fail to specific the grief my household and I really feel within the face of this most annoying information. As we face the very troublesome days to observe this extraordinarily distressing growth, I most humbly name for prayers for the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo households in addition to all of us who’re distraught by this harrowing occasion.

“My deepest condolences,” Mr Ighodalo wrote.