Herbert Wigwe, the CEO of Nigeria’s Access Bank Group, died in a helicopter crash in California, US on Friday.
His wife and son, as well as Abimbola Ogunbanjo, who was the Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, died with Wigwe, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization, said on X.
"Terribly saddened by the news of the terrible loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group CEO Access Bank, his wife and son as well as Bimbo Ogunbanjo in a helicopter crash. [...] May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace," the post read.
The tragedy happened on Friday evening, according to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
"A Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter crashed near Nipton, California, around 10 pm local time on Friday, Feb. 9. Six people were on board," the FAA said.
The chopper was en route to Las Vegas when it crashed near a border city between Nevada and California, according to reports.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board said they would investigate the case.
Herbert Wigwe died at the age of 57. He was a Nigerian banker, businessman, and the head of Access Bank Group since 2014.
Wigwe was also a philanthropist. He, together with the Access Bank and UNICEF, provided assistance to vulnerable children, orphans, and internally displaced persons in northern Nigeria. In order to raise public knowledge and understanding of this cause, the bank hosts the prestigious annual Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield Polo event.
In February 2017, Wigwe was appointed as co-chair of the Nigerian Business Coalition against AIDS, a private sector endeavor aimed at eliminating HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and providing assistance to individuals affected by the disease.
In February 2017, Wigwe was appointed as co-chair of the Nigerian Business Coalition against AIDS, a private sector endeavor aimed at eliminating HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and providing assistance to individuals affected by the disease.