The Senate on Wednesday, February 14, called for a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash that killed the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, wife Doreen and son Chizzi in the United States of America last Friday.

The crash also claimed the life of the former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.

The Senate specifically urged the federal government to collaborate with the US authorities to ensure that thorough work was done.

This is even as the Red Chamber observed a minute’s silence in honour of Wigwe.

The Senate further resolved to send a high-powered delegation to the burial of Wigwe when announced.

These resolutions of the Senate followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Senator Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers State), urging his colleagues to extol the virtues of Wigwe.

Several senators, while contributing to the debate, lauded the late Wigwe’s exemplary lifestyle of professionalism and philanthropy.

In his contribution, Senator Aminu Tambuwal (PDP – Sokoto South), described Wigwe as a “pan-Nigerian, and one of our best hands in the financial system of our dear country.”

Tambuwal recalled that Wigwe was born in Oyo State and had his secondary education at Federal Government College, Sokoto.

Tambuwal said: “While I was the governor of my state, he visited me. He asked my uncles what he would do for them. They appealed to him to sponsor them to Hajj. He gave them 10 seats as a Christians, for them to go on Hajj. That was Herbert Wigwe for you.

“We spoke last on the 1^st of February. He said he called to say hello to me because we had not seen each other for a while. He wanted me to visit him and inspect the Wigwe University project. Well, that day will never come again.”

On his part, Senator Gbenga Daniel said Nigeria had lost a personality that would be long to replace.

Daniel, a former Governor of Ogun State, also drew the attention of his colleagues to the death of Abimbola Ogunbanjo in the crash

“We also lost in that accident, a very distinguished Nigerian, Abimbola Ogunbanjo Bimbola. We mourn the Wigwes and Ogunbanjo, and we pray to God to grant their souls eternal rest”, he said.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, spoke in a like manner, saying that Wigwe and Ogunbanjo were “brilliant professionals.”

On his part, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Ahmed Wadada, noted that Wigwe’s impact was felt beyond banking.

Wadada said: “He was everywhere doing anything that could add value to humanity. He ventured into areas other people were afraid of.

“At one point, he wanted to acquire Afribank, which never worked. He later went on to acquire Intercontinental Bank at a time when nobody wanted to go close to that bank.

“He took Access Bank beyond Nigeria and wanted to acquire 65% of Standard Chartered Bank in Africa.”

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, said Wigwe was a “pan-Africanist, who took Access Bank beyond the shores of Nigeria.”

He added: “He died along with his dear wife, son, and another illustrious Nigerian, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.

“We can’t question God for all that happened. He paid school fees for indigent students and Hajj fares for people. His legacies will never be forgotten. May their souls rest in peace.” (The Nation)

•Photo of the crash scene of the chopper carrying Wigwe, his wife, son and Abimbola Ogunbanjo

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