Access Bank Speaks on Wigwe’s Death, Names Dead Child …To Announce Replacement Soon

Segun Atanda/

The management of Access Bank has issued a statement in reaction to the reported death of its CEO, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife and the son in a helicopter crash on Friday night, in California, USA.

The statement signed by the Group Company Secretary, Mr. Sunday Ekwochi, captioned “ACCESS HOLDINGS PLC ANNOUNCES THE PASSING OF ITS GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DR. HERBERT WIGWE, CFR” mentioned the name of Wigwe’s son who died in the accident.

Ekwochi stated: “It 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.

“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. 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 theBank in 2002.

“Commenting on the passage of Dr. Wigwe, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings said: ‘The 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’.

“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.”