The group chief executive officer of First Bank of Nigeria Adesola Adeduntan has described the late chief executive officer of Access Holdings Plc Herbert Wigwe as the embodiment of the best of the Nigerian spirit.
Mr Wigwe, wife Chizoba, and first son Chizi died in a helicopter crash in the United States on February 9.
Former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Abimbola Ogunbanjo was also among victims of the crash.
Reacting to the incident, Adeduntan wrote on social media on Sunday that although it was a tragic loss, Wigwe’s legacy will endure in the banking sector.
“It is with a heavy heart that I received the sad news of the passing of my friend and brother, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Access Corporation, Dr Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, FCA, FCIB, his wife, son and Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Chairman of Nigeria Stock Exchange,” the FirstBank boss wrote.
“Herbert was a titan of the banking industry whose brilliance, audacity, and resilience knew no bounds.
He was passionate about the advancement of the industry and served with gusto as the Chairman of the Body of Bank CEOs, where he provided leadership in addressing challenges facing the industry.
“Herbert was the embodiment of the best of the Nigerian spirit. A world-class achiever whose commitment to excellence delivered a solid track record of success.
His inspirational feat with the evolution of Access Bank has ensured his legacy will live long in the history of banking in Nigeria and indeed Africa.
It will encourage future generations to have audacious dreams and pursue their realisation with unrelenting determination.”
Adeduntan concluded, “My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the Access Bank family at this difficult time in addition to all others affected by this tragedy. May their souls rest in perfect peace.”
