The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has mourned the sudden demise of the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holding, Mr Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son in a helicopter crash in California, USA.

Akpabio in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh described the death of Mr Wigwe as a big loss not only to the Nigerian banking and finance industry where he held sway, but also to the country as a whole.

According to Senator Akpabio "I received with shock the news of the passing of Mr Wigwe and some of his family members in a helicopter crash in the USA. Mr Wigwe’s contribution to the growth of Nigerian banking industry and indeed the economy of the country were exemplary and commendable.

"In his chosen career he exhibited a high level of professionalism and unmatched leadership which marked him out as a true patriot. He was a man of integrity who never believed in cutting corners to achieve success in business.

"His vision in establishing a world class university, Wigwe University, to cater for the educational development of the country will be cherished as a memento for his love for Nigeria.

"On behalf of the the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I offer our condolences to the Wigwe family, the Board and Management of Access Bank, the Governor of Rivers State, the President and Commander-.in-chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria for losing such a great son, iconic entrepreneur a serial investor at such a time that our country needs his services the most.

"We pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased while we urge Nigerians to uphold the values of integrity, commitment, and professionalism that he embodied throughout his remarkable career," the statement said.


Hon Eseme Eyiboh
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President of the Senate