LIVE UPDATES
Access Holdings Plc is set to unveil an acting Group Chief Executive Officer as a successor to the late CEO, Herbert Wigwe, who tragically passed away recently.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday as the company confirmed the devastating loss of Wigwe, his wife, and son in a helicopter crash in the United States last Friday.
The Group Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi who signed the document, underscored the appointment of a new leader in accordance with the company's established policy.
"The board will imminently announce the appointment of an Acting Group Chief Executive Officer in adherence to the company’s policy. We maintain unwavering confidence that the Access Group will continue to advance, building upon Dr. Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence," the statement asserted.
Among the passengers aboard the ill-fated helicopter was Abimbola Ogunbajo, the former Chairman of Nigeria Exchange Group, along with three others.
Preliminary findings suggest adverse wintry weather conditions, including rain, might have contributed to the crash, as indicated by a member of the National Transportation Safety Board during a press briefing on Sunday.
Wigwe assumed the role of Access Holdings GCEO on March 28, 2022. Prior to his appointment, he held various positions within Access Bank, culminating in his role as the group managing director and CEO from 2014 onwards.
He also served as 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.
Tributes continue to pour in for the late banker, with businessman Femi Otedola describing Wigwe's passing as a "loss of banking genius."
