In the vast expanse of California’s Mojave Desert, tragedy struck on a fateful Friday evening, claiming the lives of Herbert Wigwe, the esteemed CEO of Nigeria’s Access Bank, his wife, and son. The ill-fated journey aboard a helicopter came to a catastrophic end near Interstate 15. Wigwe, a luminary in the banking sector, was accompanied by four others, including Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former chair of NGX Group, Nigeria’s stock exchange.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director general of the World Trade Organization and ex-Nigerian finance minister, confirmed the somber news. Expressing profound grief on X, she mourned the “terrible loss” of Wigwe, his family, and Ogunbanjo in the tragic helicopter crash, extending wishes for their souls to rest in perfect peace.
Wigwe, aged 57, left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s banking landscape, emerging as a visionary leader with significant contributions to two of the nation’s largest banks, including his role as executive director at Guaranty Trust Bank. Under his stewardship, Access Bank transcended borders, expanding its assets and influence across various African nations.
The demise of Wigwe, described by Nigerian presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga as “a terrible blow” to Nigeria and Africa’s banking realm, reverberates profoundly. Onanuga underscored Wigwe’s ambitious vision to make Access Holdings the continent’s premier entity, driven by an insatiable appetite for acquisitions.
Beyond the financial sphere, Wigwe’s influence extended to the education sector. His private university, situated in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, is poised to open its doors in September—a testament to his commitment to giving back to society.
Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s minister of aviation and aerospace development, conveyed the surreal nature of the tragedy on X, expressing condolences and seeking solace for Wigwe’s aged parents, sibling, immediate family, staff, and friends.
The crash occurred east of Interstate 15, near Halloran Springs Road, in a remote desert area with an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet, approximately 96.56 to 128.75 kilometres from Las Vegas. Logs from the California Highway Patrol indicated adverse weather conditions, with rain and snow in the vicinity at the time of the incident.
While the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department refrained from confirming casualties, an emailed statement affirmed the absence of survivors, with coroner’s investigators present at the scene. The Federal Aviation Administration identified the helicopter, a Eurocopter EC 120, with six individuals on board, initiating investigations alongside the National Transportation Safety Board.
KABC-TV reported the helicopter’s departure from Palm Springs Airport around 8.45 pm, en route to Boulder City, Nevada—approximately 41 kilometres southeast of Las Vegas, where the impending Super Bowl LVIII awaited between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.
This tragic event unfolded mere days after a separate incident, where a US Marine Corps helicopter succumbed to the elements in the mountains outside San Diego during unprecedented downpours, resulting in the loss of five Marines.