California: Nigerian Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe, 5 Others, Dead After Their Helicopter Crashes in Mojave Dessert
Six individuals, including Herbert Wigwe, the CEO of a prominent Nigerian bank, died in a California helicopter crash on Friday. The aircraft caught fire, resulting in the tragic incident. Andrew Esiebo/Getty Images for Global Citizen

In a devastating incident, Herbert Wigwe, co-founder of Access Bank, one of Nigeria's largest banks, lost his life in a California helicopter crash Friday, according to BBC.

President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sorrow, labeling the Nigerian bank CEO's death as an "overwhelming tragedy."

The chartered helicopter was en route from Palm Springs to Boulder City in Nevada when it crashed approximately 96km (60 miles) from Las Vegas, near Nipton, on the edge of the Mojave Desert Preserve.

Poor weather conditions, including rain and snow showers, prevailed in the area at the time.

California Helicopter Crash Under Investigation, Victims Identified

Investigators are diligently examining the crash site in the southern California desert to ascertain the cause of the tragedy.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading the investigation, with multiple American agencies involved, including the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

As of Sunday, the cause of the California helicopter crash remains unclear, and the NTSB confirmed that the Eurocopter EC130 involved did not have a cockpit voice recorder or a flight data recorder, nor were they mandatory for this type of aircraft.

The FAA assured that both agencies would thoroughly investigate and provide updates as the inquiry progresses.

Herbert Wigwe's wife, son and Ogunbanjo were among the confirmed victims, with their deaths verified by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organization, The Daily Beast noted.

An NTSB spokesperson identified the two pilots.

Tributes have been pouring in from various quarters, with President Tinubu describing the incident as "shocking beyond comprehension" and a significant blow to Nigeria and Africa's banking sector.

Legacy of Nigerian Bank CEO: Expansion and Educational Initiatives

In a statement, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State expressed shock and devastation over Herbert Wigwe's untimely demise, acknowledging his pivotal role in transforming Access Bank into a global financial brand, per Fox News.

"The tragic incident is painful and heart-wrenching, and we pray for God's abiding comfort in this profoundly difficult time," Obaseki wrote.

Wigwe founded Access Bank in 1989 and played a crucial role in its growth, leading it to become Nigeria's largest bank in 2018 after acquiring Diamond Bank.

In recent years, the Nigerian bank CEO has been instrumental in expanding Access Bank's presence across the continent, acquiring banks in Kenya, South Africa, and Botswana.

He had ambitious plans to launch a new banking service in Asia in the first quarter of 2024.

Beyond his banking endeavors, Wigwe was committed to addressing global challenges.

He emphasized the importance of investing in higher education to control mass migration in January, proposing the establishment of Wigwe University.

Set to launch in September in Nigeria's Niger Delta region, the university aims to contribute to society by providing educational opportunities and addressing the root causes of migration.

The tragic loss of Herbert Wigwe leaves a significant void in Nigeria's financial sector, and the investigations into the California helicopter crash are ongoing.

As tributes continue to pour in, the impact of the Nigerian bank CEO's contributions to banking and his visionary educational initiatives will be remembered.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: 6 killed in San Bernardino County helicopter crash - From KTLA 5