Victor EzejaDeputy National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nze Chidi Duru, has joined other Nigerians and the global business community in mourning the untimely death of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc., Dr Herbert Wigwe.
Prime Business Africa reports that Dr Wigwe died alongside his wife and son on Friday, February 9, 2024 in a helicopter crash in the United States of America.
Nze Duru, in a message via his X handle on Sunday, expressed his deepest condolences to the family of Wigwe over the irreparable loss.
He described the late Access Holdings Group CEO as “an astute financial czar who brought a lot of innovations to bear in the operational architecture of Access Bank Plc and its subsidiaries.”
He noted that Wigwe dexterously “championed the culture of strong risk management, innovative technology, and best-practice corporate governance to deliver high standards of management and returns on pension assets to the benefit of its stakeholders.”
Duru, who is the Chairman of Grand Towers and founder of First Guarantee Pension Limited (FGPLUG), recalled how Wigwe intervened in the crisis that ensued for years when some shareholders attempted to takeover the firm in a hostile manner.
He said Wigwe’s intervention in the FGPLUG ownership tussle led to a seamless acquisition by Access Pension Plc.
“We had an over-the-table discussion on how to resolve the dispute, a deal was struck, and we both kept to the agreement,” Duru added.
The APC chieftain said: “I am devastated by the sad news of his demise in the ill-fated Eurocopter EC 130 Helicopter crash in the United States alongside his amiable wife, Chizoba Wigwe, son, and Bimbo Ogunbanjo.
“He was a man of impeccable integrity and a boardroom guru.
“My sincere thoughts are with his family, friends, business associates, the Ogunbanjos and the entire staff of @myaccessbank at this horrendous moment of mourning.
“May God grant their families the strength to bear the loss.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
