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.”
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.
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.
“We saw the news on social media and everywhere became quiet, everybody was sad. In fact, on Sunday most of the workers were crying and saying why did this happen to this type of man.
“We were just asking questions about what happened and all that, and nobody believed it. On Sunday morning, when we came back for work the expatriates advised that there should be no work for that day. That the workers should go back home and resume on Monday been yesterday.”
Asked if she was scared the project might be stalled due to Wigwe’a death, she said, “No I don’t think so. I don’t pray for that.
“Nobody will want something like this (project) to stop because it may also be an opportunity for some people. This school I believe will offer scholarship to some people. So I don’t pray for the project to stop. Who knows one of my children may come to study here.
Another worker at the university, Reuben Chineme, also said the they received Wigwe’s passing with shock, saying he personally saw it on the social media and later heard it on Radio.
“It was a very sad news to all the workers here. He (Wigwe) usually comes to the site. Just two Sundays’ ago he was here. He usually moves round the whole site. Sometimes he will wave at us (greetings).
“It was shocking to hear that he was dead. It is very sad and painful, Even now you can see that we are not happy,” he said with an emotion-laden voice.
