US BLACK SUPERBOWL: Untold Last Moment Of Access Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe, Wife, Son, And Three Others In Helicopter Crash

*Had premonition of death a few days ago and posted a message on Twitter saying, “Today and always, let us remember that life is a precious gift, making every moment count; let us count our days.”

*Held hands with wife and son, prayed, scream: ‘J-e-s-u-s, help us, we are in your care’, Helicopter Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorder’ Reveals

*How I narrowly escaped death in a helicopter accident—FALEYE OLUSHOLA, Senior Aide to WIGWE

*”The Access Family has suffered a significant loss with the passing of Dr. Wigwe, a wonderful friend and gentleman. He possessed a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and extensive business experience, which he shared with the Access Family and for which we are grateful. The entire Access family is saddened by the deaths of Herbert, Doreen, and Chizi. “We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones,” said Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings.

*”The death of Herbert Wigwe is an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension.”-Tinubu, Nigerian President

BY GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/AMERICA Senior Investigative Editor and TINA RHODES, Senior Aviation Correspondent in California.

UNPUBLISHED facts have emerged about the circumstances surrounding the last moment when the chartered chopper transporting Herbert Wigwe, CEO of Access Holdings, his wife, Doreen, son, Chizi; a former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two other people on board crashed in California, United States of America.

A reliable aviation security source in the United States Agency, NTSB, who was not authorised to speak to the press, told NAIJA STANDARD Newspaper that the sounds inside the helicopter cockpit voice and flight data recorder revealed that when turbulence occurred in the air, Wigwe held hands with his wife and son, prayed, and screamed aloud: “J-e-s-u-s, help us, we are in your care.”

The helicopter was on its way to Las Vegas when it crashed near the Nevada-California border on Friday night.
Our reporters learned that Wigwe left Lagos State, Nigeria, on Wednesday to attend Super Bowl 58, an American football competition known as ‘The LVIII’, which will be held on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Wigwe, his family, and others were reportedly on their way to Boulder City, Nevada, from Palm Springs, California, when the helicopter carrying them crashed around 10 p.m. near a small town in California’s Mojave Desert.

“Wigwe’s wife and child also died in the accident. On Wednesday, he left Lagos to watch the Super Bowl in the United States.
“Bimbo Ogunbanjo was also on the plane. Bimbo Ogunbanjo is the son of businessman Chris Ogunbanjo, according to a top source on Saturday.
Herbert Wigwe and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu did not attend the Access Bank Lagos Marathon on Saturday.
The governor was represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat.

Crashed helicopter that killed Wigwe and others caught fire on impact with terrain; full probe report could take 24 months – US Agency, NTSB.
The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed that the helicopter in which Herbert Wigwe was travelling caught fire after crashing.

Michael Graham, a board member, confirmed during a media briefing on Sunday that six people, including two crew members, died in the helicopter crash.
Graham told reporters that the tragic incident occurred about 90 minutes after the charter flight took off, and that “the helicopter impacted the terrain south of I-15 near Halloran Springs, California,” which is about 75 miles (120 kilometres) northeast of Barstow.
The NTSB board member confirmed that there was fire when the aircraft collided with the terrain, but stated that the cause of the crash is still unknown.
He explained that witnesses reported “rain with wintry mix” when the accident happened.
Graham, however, stated that investigators were still working to determine the exact weather conditions at the time of the crash.

“This is the start of a long process. “We will not jump to conclusions,” Graham stated.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on its website, without naming the victims, that “a Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter crashed near Nipton, California, around 10 p.m. local time on Friday, February 9.” “There were six people on board.”

Graham warned that the full report on the investigation could take between 12 and 24 months to complete.
Meanwhile, an Aviation Security source from the United States Agency, NTSB, revealed that sounds saved inside the Helicopter Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorder revealed “Herbert Wigwe hands with wife, son, prayed, scream: “J-e-s-u-s, help us, we are in your care.”
The accident occurred as they were travelling from Palm Springs Airport to Boulder City, Nevada.

WIGWE’S Death Premonition:
Herbert Wigwe, the late Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, had posted three weeks before the fatal crash about appreciating life as a gift and valuing each day in January.
On January 19, Wigwe tweeted, “Today and always, let us remember that life is a precious gift–a chance to breathe, feel, love, experience, and connect.”
“Let us celebrate this gift by living with purpose, kindness, and gratitude, making every moment count. Let us count our days.

*How I narrowly escaped death in a helicopter crash—FALEYE OLUSHOLA, Senior Aide to WIGWE:

Olushola, the Special Assistant to Herbert Wigwe, the Co-founder and Group CEO of Access Holdings Plc, miraculously survived Friday night’s helicopter crash that killed his boss, wife and son.
Olushola, whose name was on the manifest, escaped death because he did not board the ill-fated flight and chose to travel by road.

According to ThisDay, Olushola flew from London to Palm Spring, California, with Wigwe, his wife, son, and former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
However, when Olushola arrived in Palm Springs, he declined to board the ill-fated flight to Boulder City, Nevada, insisting that he would not travel by helicopter at night due to the weather conditions.
He was said to have chosen to travel to Boulder City by road, avoiding the air disaster that claimed the lives of four others.

Meanwhile, Access Bank Plc has stated that it lacks “specific information” regarding the death of Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, who died in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border in the United States of America.
However, the bank stated that it is working with US authorities to obtain additional information.
In a tweet on Sunday, the bank stated, “We have received numerous inquiries regarding an aeroplane crash in the United States.”

“We currently lack specific information; however, we are actively collaborating with US authorities, who will provide updates.
“We appreciate your understanding and support, and we promise to keep you informed as soon as we receive updates on the situation.”

*Access Holdings confirms and mourns the death of Wigwe and his family:

Herbert Wigwe, Access Holdings Plc’s founding Group CEO, died in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, United States of America.Wigwe died with five others, including his wife and son.

Sunday Ekwochi, Group Company Secretary, issued a statement on Sunday titled ‘Access Holdings Plc Announces The Passing Of Its Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Herbert Wigwe, CFR,’ in which the company expressed its condolences to the late CEO’s family and loved ones.

Following Wigwe’s death, the company announced that its board would appoint an Acting Group CEO.

It stated, “It is with great sadness that the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (the Company) announces the death 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 in a helicopter accident with his wife and son on Friday, February 9, 2024, in the United States of America.
“The entire Access Family mourns the passing of Herbert, Doreen, and Chizi. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Dr. Wigwe was a key driving force and a larger-than-life personality who contributed his extraordinary passion, energy, and experience to the transformation of the Access franchise since joining the Bank in 2002.
“Commenting on Dr. Wigwe’s passing, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings, stated: “The Access Family has suffered a major loss with the passing of Dr. Wigwe, who was a great friend and fine gentleman. He possessed a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and extensive business experience, which he shared with the Access Family and for which we are grateful.

“In accordance with the Company’s policy, the Board will soon announce the appointment of an Acting Group CEO, while we remain confident that the Access Group will build on Dr Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence.”
In a message on X on Sunday, Access Bank Plc also mourned Wigwe’s death, saying, “Today, we bid farewell to a visionary leader, Herbert O. Wigwe, whose passion and unwavering commitment to excellence transformed Access into a global powerhouse.”
“His legacy of excellence and compassion will continue to inspire everyone.
“Rest in peace, Herbert Wigwe.” Your impact will be felt indefinitely.
*The Nigerian President reacts:

Tinubu mourns Wigwe’s death, which was shocking beyond comprehension. President Bola Tinubu has described the death of Access Holdings Plc’s CEO, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, as “an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension.”
This followed the official confirmation of a helicopter crash that killed the top banker, former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc., Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, as well as members of the Wigwe family.
The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, issued a statement on Sunday, expressing shock and deep distress over the deaths of outstanding Nigerian business leaders.

The statement is titled “President Tinubu mourns Herbert Wigwe, CEO of Access Holdings Plc, former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and family members.”
Wigwe died in a helicopter crash in California, near the Nevada border, on Friday.
On Sunday, Access Holdings Plc confirmed the helicopter accident and the deaths.
A statement signed by the Group Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, read, “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 CEO and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’).

“Dr. Wigwe died in a helicopter accident with his wife and son on Friday, February 9, 2024, in the United States.
“The entire Access family mourns the passing of Herbert, Doreen, and Chizi. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
According to US authorities, preliminary reports indicate that the crash was caused by wintry weather.
The President expressed condolences to the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, the business community, and all those affected by this tragic incident.
“President Tinubu prays for the peaceful repose of the departed and asks God Almighty to comfort the multitude of Nigerians who are grieving as well as the families of the deceased at this deeply agonising time,” Ngelale stated.

Wigwe was born on August 15, 1966, and grew up to be a banker and entrepreneur, eventually becoming one of Nigeria’s most well-known names and leaders in banking and finance. He also served as Access Bank Plc’s Group Managing Director/CEO from January 2014 to April 2022, succeeding his business partner Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.