'Visionary leader,' Access Bank mourns Herbert Wigwe

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Access Bank Plc, has mourned the passing of Herbert Wigwe, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Access Corporation, its parent company, who died in a helicopter crash in the United States on Saturday.

In a statement via its X handle, @myaccessbank, on Sunday, the bank bid farewell to Wigwe, whom it described as a visionary leader, noting that his legacy will live on.

"Today, we bid farewell to a visionary leader, @HerbertOWigwe, whose passion and unwavering commitment to excellence transformed Access into a global powerhouse," the Bank said.

"His legacy of excellence and compassion will continue to inspire us all. Rest in peace, Herbert Wigwe. Your impact will forever be felt."

Wigwe, along with five other people, died on 10 February 2024 after their Eurocopter EC130 crashed near Nipton in California, United States.

The five others included his wife, his son, former Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc Abimbola Ogunbanjo and two others who are currently unidentified.

They were on their way from Palm Springs Airport to Boulder City, Nevada on a charter flight operated by Orbic Air LLC.

Wigwe CFR , born 15th August 1966 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was the Access Corporation, the parent company of Access Bank plc.

He had served as the Group Managing of Access Bank, one of Nigeria's top five banking institutions, after succeeding his business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, from January 2014 to April 2022.

 Wigwe had a bachelor's degree in accountancy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1987.

 In 1990, he received the British Council Scholarship to study at the University College of North Wales, earning a Master of Arts in banking and finance in 1991.

 He later earned a MSc in Financial Economics from the University of London in 1996.[3] He was an alumnus of the Harvard Business School Executive Management Program.

Wigwe was married to Chizoba Wigwe (née Nwuba) and had four children.

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