News
Tinubu, CBN, Access Holdings pay tributes

By Francesca Hangeior
President Bola Tinubu, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’ governors and Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc have mourned the death of Wigwe in a helicopter accident.
Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, also said the passage of Abimbola Ogunbanjo, Wigwe’s wife and son was shocking.
He described the crash that took away two senior members of the Nigerian business community as “an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension.”
The statement reads: “After receiving an official confirmation of events, President Bola Tinubu received with shock and deep distress the news of the passing of Mr. Herbert Wigwe, top banker and entrepreneur, and Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, , former group chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, along with members of the Wigwe family.
“Mr. Herbert Wigwe, CON, was the group chief executive officer of Access Holdings Plc and founder of the How Foundation.
“President Tinubu mourns these exceptional Nigerian business leaders and describes their passing as ‘an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension.
“The President condoles with the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, the business community, and all those impacted by this harrowing incident.
“President Tinubu prays for the peaceful repose of the departed and asks God Almighty to comfort the multitude of Nigerians who are grieving and the families of the deceased at this deeply agonizing moment.”
Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN in a terse statement, also condoled the Wigwe and the Ogunbanjo families.
Cardoso prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
Details of how helicopter crash claimed Herbert Wigwe, wife, son, others emerge
He wrote” “Our profound condolences to the Wigwe family and Access Holdings on the passing of the co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba, and son, Chizi, alongside Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, in the United States of America, on February 9, 2024.
“May their souls rest in peace.”
Access Holdings Plc board of directors which formally announced demise of its GCEO, expressed its “deep and sincere sympathies” to the Wigwe family.
It described Wigwe as “a key driving force and a larger-than-life personality” with a “vast business experience.”
In a statement, the board said: “The entire Access family mourns the loss of Herbert, Doreen and Chizi. We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones. Dr. Wigwe was a key driving force and a larger-than-life personality who brought his remarkable passion, energy, and experience to the transformation of the Access franchise since joining the Bank in 2002.”
The statement also quoted the Chairman of Access Holdings, Abubakar Jimoh, as saying: “The Access Family has suffered a major loss with the passing of Wigwe who was a great friend and fine gentleman. He had a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and vast business experience which he brought to bear on the Access Family and for which we owe him a debt of gratitude.
“We remain confident that the Access Group will build further on Dr. Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence.
The company also announced that it would soon announce an acting Group Chief Executive Officer to replace Wigwe.
News
SAD! APC lawmaker dies while asleep

The lawmaker representing Kaura Namoda South Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Aminu Ibrahim Kasuwar-Daji, has died.
It was gathered that the lawmaker passed on in his sleep during the early hours of Wednesday.
Aminu Ibrahim Kasuwar-Daji’s sudden death came as a shock to many in the state, especially his colleagues and political associates.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, the party under which he was elected, expressed deep sorrow over his passage.
Members of the party, including the State Working Committee and other supporters, described his death as a great loss.
They said he was known for his dedication and honesty in serving his people.
His family, community members in Kaura Namoda South, and fellow lawmakers have been thrown into mourning as preparations for his burial began.
According to Islamic rites, he was buried today at 3:00 pm in his hometown of Kasuwar-Daji, located in the Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.
Many in the state have continued to express grief as they remember the role he played in representing the people and contributing to the work of the state assembly.
News
Just in: Sam Olumekun takes over as INEC’s Acting Chairman

Mr. Sam Olumekun has taken over at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as Acting Chairman.
Olumekun is INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education.
He performed his first duties today, receiving a high-level delegation of the Labour Party (LP) at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja with other National Commissioners in attendance.
The delegation was led by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, who visited the Commission to discuss key developments within the Labour Party.
It was gathered that both parties engaged in discussions centered on enhancing collaboration and reinforcing democratic values.
During the visit, Governor Otti formally presented a Certified True Copy of the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning the party’s leadership.
He noted that the meeting was aimed at fostering clarity, mutual understanding, and institutional alignment regarding the Labour Party’s current structure.
Mr. Olumekun, the Acting INEC Chairman, reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to neutrality, transparency, and the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
Recall that a viral WhatsApp message had indicated that Prof. Mahmood was sacked by President Bola Tinubu and replaced with one Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan.
“INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan by President Tinubu,” the message, which had no attribution, read. However, both INEC and the Presidency debunked the widespread report.
Yakubu, who is rounding off his second tenure in office, is expected to exit the system towards the end of this year.
The process of appointing an INEC chairman is the President nominating a candidate and forwarding his particulars to the Department of State Services (DSS) for profiling.
After such screening, the President, thereafter, takes the name to the National Council of State for its advisory review.
Based on the outcome, the President sends the name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
News
Crude oil prices slide further, now selling below $57

Crude oil prices have dropped below $57, following a previous rate of $59.78.
This decline coincides with the imposition of tariffs on several countries by US President Donald Trump.
A report from West Texas Intermediate attributes this price slump to consistent 6% reductions observed last week.
JPMorgan Chase & Co has warned that these tariffs could likely push both the US and global economies into a recession this year.
The financial institution explained that the tariffs, set to take effect this week, are expected to have widespread economic repercussions.
Market analysts and the business community have expressed concerns about the negative implications of these measures, predicting a slowdown in economic activities and a subsequent decline in oil demand.
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