A helicopter carrying prominent Nigerian banker Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son, and former NGX Group chairman Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo tragically crashed in Southern California’s Mojave Desert on Friday evening. The victims were all confirmed deceased on Saturday.
The aircraft, reported to have gone down shortly after 10pm near Halloran Springs Road, also claimed the lives of its two pilots. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
News of the tragedy sent shockwaves through both Nigeria and the international banking community. Wigwe, the CEO of Access Bank, was widely respected as an industry leader who oversaw significant expansion and diversification of the bank’s operations across Africa.
Former Nigerian finance minister and current World Trade Organization director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala took to social media to express her condolences, stating, “Terribly saddened by the news… May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”
The tragedy underscores the fragility of life and the sudden loss of individuals who make significant contributions to their communities. Tributes and expressions of grief continue to pour in for Wigwe, his family, and Ogunbanjo, whose passing leaves a void in the Nigerian business landscape.
