The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed deep distress over the tragic death of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe. He died in a helicopter crash on Friday, February 9, 2024 on his way to Las Vegas, United States of America (USA).  
  
A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Igbo group, Alex Ogbonnia, stated that the President General of Ohanaeze, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is in deep sorrow over the death of Wigwe.
  
Ohanaeze said that the enviable life trajectory of Wigwe underscores the widely acknowledged Igbo ingenuity, hard work, integrity, prudence and the capacity to turn adversity into a pool of opportunities.
  
“Herbert proved to the entire world that the audacity of intellectual prowess, social skill, humility and honesty is far more impactful than the audacity of aristocracy,” Ohanaeze said.
  
Iwuanyanwu described the death of Wigwe as one death too many, saying that he was exemplary in diverse ways, a motivator, a beacon of hope and a change agent with a robust vision. 
  
According to the statement, Iwuanyanwu lamented that Nigeria has lost a rare gem, an ebullient young man with an incredible zest for excellence, infectious enthusiasm, irresistible warmth, character comeliness, benevolent spirit and public wizardry.
 
 “Herbert is one man who has changed the obscure narrative of Isiokpo with a network of asphalt roads, pipe borne water, solar lights and, above all, a university. His compassionate dispositions found expressions in the HOW Foundation, a non-profit organization, which takes care of the widows, the vulnerable and scholarship schemes to indigent university students both in his Isiokpo Community and beyond,” he said.Iwuanyanwu called on the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to immortalise the memories of the late Wigwe. 

MEANWHILE, the National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA) has expressed sadness over the death of Wigwe, his wife and son. This was contained in a statement by the Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NICA, Prof. Chris Onalo, who, on behalf of the entire governing council of NICA, offered heartfelt condolences to the families and entire staff of Access Holdings at this difficult time.

  
Until his death, the late Wigwe was a cherished member of NICA.Onalo said: “We recognise Wigwe’s immeasurable contributions to the credit institution in Nigeria, and lasting legacies in the economy at large.

ALSO, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of the Access Bank CEO, his wife, Doreen and son, Chizi.
  
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ekpen Ahon, yesterday, Oborevwori described the deaths as awful, heartbreaking, startling and devastating. He also mourned the demise of the former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo, among others, who also lost their lives in the crash.
  
Oborovweri remarked that Wigwe was a visionary leader and a thoroughbred professional, who had a huge impact on the banking and business atmosphere, noting that the corporate world in Nigeria would miss him a great deal.