Access Bank to announce new Acting Group CEO
An Eurocopter EC 130
The Board of Access Holdings Plc is to announce an acting Group Chief Executive Officer to replace its late CEO, Herbert Wigwe who passed away in a helicopter crash in California, USA on Friday, in line with the company’s policy.
“In line with the company’s policy, the board will soon announce the appointment of an Acting Group Chief Executive Officer even as we remain confident that the Access Group will build further on Dr. Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence,” a statement signed by the Group Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, said.
The Country Managing Director for Access Bank Ghana, Mr.
Olumide Olatunji praised the transformative impact of the late Dr. Wigwe on Access Bank Ghana’s operations.
“We are deeply saddened by the demise of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who was a man of many colours because of the exceptional impact he had on the growth of the banking industry and communities we serve. As our beloved Board Chairman and Pan-Africanist, Dr. Wigwe was pivotal in nurturing and making the Access bank franchise relevant in Ghana as a key development partner. His legacy will never be forgotten.”
The Eurocopter EC 130 was transporting Dr. Wigwe, his wife, son and Abimbola Ogunbanjoa, a former Chair of Nigerian Exchange Group, to Las Vegas when it crashed Friday night near Nipton, between Nevada and California.
Dr. Wigwe was appointed Access Holdings GCEO in March, 2022. Prior to his appointment, he had occupied various positions within Access Bank, from being the deputy managing director at Access Bank from 2012 to 2014, when he became the group managing director and CEO. He served as the chairman of Access Bank (Ghana), Access Investment & Securities Limited, Central Securities and Clearing System and presently as chairman of Access Bank Limited and Unified Payments Services Limited.
He was a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He was also a member of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria
The Eurocopter EC 130 safety Record
The Eurocopter EC 130 also known as Airbus H130 is an intermediate single-engine helicopter tailored for passenger transport, sightseeing and VIP duties, as well as medical airlift and surveillance missions. It is admired by the businessmen for its silent and easy to maintain nature.
The helicopter has a spacious cabin for a pilot and up to seven passengers. Depending on the configuration, it can carry up to two pilots, one stretcher and three to four medical crewmembers. It has a relatively good overall safety record. Prior to the February 9, 2024 crush involving Dr Herbert Wigwe, the aircraft had been involved in two major accidents. In February 2018, a EC130B4 operated by Papillon Airways crashed in the Grand Canyon, killing five people. Due to strong winds, the helicopter spun out of control and crashed as it came in to land. Three people died immediately, two more died in hospital as a result of burns sustained during the crash.
On 2 January 2023, two EC130B4s operated by Sea World Helicopters collided in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, killing four people and injuring eight.