Wigwe, others’ death shocking, monumental disaster – Fubara

By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has expressed shock and sadness at the news of the demise of the co-founder of Access Bank, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, son, and others in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, USA.

Fubara described the death of the foremost banker and others in the helicopter crash as a monumental disaster.

Fubara, in a statement signed by Boniface Onyedi, his special adviser on media said there are no words to convey how terrible the losses are, and the state and indeed Nigeria will miss an unassuming, iconic and accomplished illustrious son of Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

In his tribute, Fubara noted that Wigwe rose to become one of the most outstanding African financial sector leaders and a global figure who superintended over the impressive growth of the Access Bank Group.

He also noted that the deceased banker established the Wigwe University in Isiokpo, the headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area with a 60% local and 40% expatriate faculty population.

Governor Fubara, on behalf of his family, the State Government and the people of Rivers State commiserated with the Wigwe family over the unfortunate incident, urging them to be comforted by God’s assurances of His love and outpouring of global sympathy on this deep pain and loss.

“Rivers State and the Nation are in tears because it would be extremely difficult to understand this sweeping loss of a family involving a strong pillar, accomplished banker and philanthropist with tentacles in the education sector”, the Governor said, noting that the prestigious Wigwe University which the deceased pioneered must not be allowed to die.