Araraume mourns Herbert Wigwe, Says innovativeness found anchorage and loss to Nigeria’s banking industry

A member of the Senate from 1999 to 2007, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, has expressed shock over the death of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings PLC, Mr Herbert Wigwe, describing his sudden exit as a monumenral loss to Nigeria’s banking industry.

Wigwe, together with his wife, Chizoba, son, Chizi, friend, Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo [a former Chair of NGX] and two others, was confirmed dead in a chopper crash on Friday night in California.

Araraume, one-time Director, defunct Inland Bank PLC (now part of FCMB), said Wigwe traversed the nation’s banking sector and straddled it like a colossus.

According to him: “His impact was profound. His innovativeness found anchorage in an unusual audacity to take and manage risks.

“He led the bank to undertake one of the most daring acquisitions in Nigeria, talking about takeover of Inter Continental Bank and his imprimaturs in other legacy projects.

“Nigeria has lost a great mind. The tragedy is too monumental, looking at the ramifications of the chopper crash.

“My heart and condolences go to his immediate and extended family members as well as his associates on this irreparable loss.”