Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe was a young and vibrant professional in the banking and finance industry in Nigeria and other parts of the world. He was the co-founder and group chief executive officer (CEO) of Access Holdings Plc, having owned the highest shares in the financial institution. According to reports, Wigwe controlled 9% of the bank, which is collectively estimated at $54 million. He was a man known for high moral and ethical conduct in both his professional and social conduct with all who crossed paths with him. Of course, he was very wealthy and was said to be highly spiritual as well. He unfortunately passed away on February 9, 2024, when a private helicopter he boarded reportedly crashed in California near the Nevada border in the United States of America.
Herbert Wigwe’s demise was a heartbreaker to not just his immediate family members and friends but also to his colleagues, business associates, and the nation as a whole. It seemed like a priceless treasure had been lost, given the wailings that trumpeted across national and international corners.
One significant concern was how the business mogul died. Who would have imagined that living one’s fantasy, traveling the world, and setting up structures and vital establishments that would have been valuable to both the local and international community would turn out to be a pathway to their end?
As though this was not enough, and out of a million ways to die, why did it have to be an aircraft crashing down on the billionaire businessman, his wife, and his son? This raised questions as to the cause of the crash, as investigations commenced almost immediately, even though it had been swiftly attributed to bad weather conditions, which the Access Bank CEO and his pilots were said to have allegedly ignored.
Wigwe’s Special Assistant, Faleye Olushola, narrowly escaped the tragedy as he decided not to board the helicopter, which was bound for Boulder City in Nevada, citing concerns about nighttime weather conditions, and opted to travel by road instead. He was reported to have accompanied Wigwe, his wife, son, and former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo, on a flight from London, United Kingdom, to Palm Springs, California, US.
As investigations continue in a bid to unravel the actual cause of the helicopter crash, several controversies have trailed the late CEO, who is alleged to have used his influence at the bank to facilitate a billion-naira loan for the City of David branch of Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), where he worshiped. It was gathered that the loan was to facilitate the completion of a church project. However, three weeks before his death, the church’s loan was due for repayment, but the church had not raised the funds, so Wigwe allegedly gave the church a secret interest-free one billion naira loan to clear off their debt and pay him back subsequently.
The Access Bank CEO, Herbert Wigwe, was chiefly known to be a man who generously loved God. Sadly, and as if he had a premonition of his death, Wigwe, on January 19, via his X handle (formerly Twitter), said, “Today and always, let us remember that life is a precious gift—a chance to breathe, feel, love, experience, and connect.
“Let’s honor this gift by living with purpose, kindness, and gratitude, making every moment count.
“Let us number our days.”
Indeed! Shall we number our days?
