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.
Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, was among the twenty eminent Nigerians including seating governors of four states who were honoured by the Verbatim Magazine at the Late General Yaradua Centre recently.
He was recognized by the investigative journal for excellence and quality leadership in legislative performance for year 2024 based on his contributions in the plenary of the House of Representatives, the number of Bills and motions he has sponsored so far.
Professor Nnamchi was last year rated the most performing legislator from the southeast by the authoritative organ of the National Assembly, “The Order Paper” which evaluates the work rates of the legislators annually.
As at the end of March, 2025, the lawmaker who represents Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives has sponsored thirty-six Bills and over twenty impactful motions in the House. Over twenty of the Bills have passed second reading.
Speaking at the well attended Verbatim 13Th Anniversary Lecture delivered by the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, the magazine Editor, Mr Tobs Agbaegbu, affirmed that the awardees were carefully selected through in-depth evaluation and investigation by its team of editors.
He stressed that the magazine has established itself as a leader in investigative journalism and as such would not be associated with questionable awards that lack merits.
The award recipients cut across private and public sectors’ practitioners, governors, legislators, military officers and journalists all of whom had distinguished themselves in leadership as Trail Blazers in their chosen careers.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The presidency has debunked reports that the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu has been replaced, describing it as ‘fake news.’
“Disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman.
“Any such announcement will come from the SGF’s office or the any other official source.” – O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital Media and New Media.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, and India, as part of preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.
Officials speaking to ARY News said, “The suspension of Umrah, business, and family visit visas is aimed at preventing unregistered individuals from attempting to perform the pilgrimage.”
The move comes amid concerns over the rising number of pilgrims attempting to join Hajj without official permits. In recent years, many visitors have overstayed their visas, contributing to overcrowding and serious safety risks.
Authorities also expressed concern over the misuse of business or family visit visas by individuals who enter the Kingdom and work illegally, a violation that “disrupts the labour market and breaches visa conditions.”
The Saudi foreign ministry stated that the new measures were implemented “to streamline travel procedures and enhance safety during Hajj.
It added, “Individuals found to be staying in the Kingdom illegally may face a five-year entry ban.”
The countries affected by the ban are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
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