Victor EzejaOhanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has expressed deep sorrow over the untimely death of Group CEO of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe who died alongside his wife, son and former group chairman of Nigeria Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo in a helicopter accident on February 9th, 2024 in the United States of America.
President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, described Wigwe’s death as one death too many.
According to a statement by the Ohanaeze Publicity secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, Chief Iwuanyanwu highlighted the philanthropic activities of Wigwe both in his Isiokpo community in Rivers State and elsewhere.
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He said: “Wigwe is one man who has changed the obscure narrative of Isiokpo with a network of asphalt roads, pipe-borne water, solar lights, and above all a university. His compassionate dispositions found expression in the HOW Foundation, a non-profit organisation that takes care of the widows, the vulnerable and scholarship schemes to indigent university students both in his Isiokpo community and beyond.”
“The enviable life trajectory of Wigwe underscores the widely acknowledged Igbo ingenuity, hard work, integrity, prudence and the capacity to turn adversity into a pool of opportunities. Wigwe proved to the entire world that the audacity of intellectual prowess, social skill, humility and honesty is far more impactful than the audacity of aristocracy,” Iwuanyanwu added.
He further noted that Wigwe was exemplary in diverse ways, a motivator, a beacon of hope and a change agent with a robust vision and lamented that Nigeria has lost a rare gem, an ebullient young man with an incredible zest for excellence, infectious enthusiasm, benevolent spirit and public wizardry.
Chief Iwuanyanwu elaborates that at the young age of 32, Wigwe was already on the top echelon in the financial sector and at 36, he had already navigated the ownership of a bank; and incredibly transformed a fledgling bank into one of the top banking institutions in Nigeria with global networks.
Iwuanyanwu called on Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to immortalize the memories of the late Wigwe, adding thar it will serve as a very source of inspiration to the present day youths.
The Igbo Leader also expressed his condolences to the Wigwe family, the Abimbola Ogunbanjo family, the Access Bank Plc, the good people of Omueke village, Isiokpo, community, the entire Ikwerre and the good people of Rivers State and prayed that the Almighty will grant the souls of Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe; the wife, Barr. Mrs Chizoba Nwigwe and the son, Chizi Wigwe an eternal rest in his bosom, the statement added.
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.
