Feb 10, 2024,05:07pm EST
Herbert Wigwe, a co-founder of Nigeria’s largest bank, was among the six individuals who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in California on Friday, as reported by various sources.
Key Facts:
- A Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter, carrying six people, crashed near Nipton, California, on Friday night. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident, and the National Traffic Safety Board is also involved.
- The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office has stated that no survivors have been found.
- Reports indicate that Wigwe, along with his wife and child, tragically perished in the crash. Abimbola Ogunbanjoa, a former president of the Nigerian stock exchange, also lost his life in the incident.
- Wigwe, a co-founder of Access Bank, was en route to attend Sunday’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas, according to Semafor.
Key Background:
- Access Bank, co-founded by Wigwe, became Nigeria’s largest bank in 2018 following its acquisition of Diamond Bank. The bank has been actively expanding its presence in Africa and globally, with plans to launch a new banking service in Asia this year.
- Established in 1989, Access Bank has been at the forefront of the Nigerian banking sector. Additionally, Wigwe was in the process of launching his own university in Nigeria, named Wigwe University, scheduled for an official launch in September.