Nigerians was thrown into Mourning when it was reported that MD/CEO of Access Bank Holdings, Dr. Herbert Wigwe was on board with about five others believed to be his wife, son and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), when the helicopter crashed.

Sources said the chopper was headed to Las Vegas when it crashed near a border city between Nevada and California on Friday night.

It was also noticed that Herbert Wigwe and the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, were absent at the Access Bank Lagos Marathon on Saturday.

The governor was represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat.

US officials had said the helicopter crashed near Nipton on the edge of the Mojave Desert late on Friday evening.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki and other well meaning Nigerians have said that they were shocked and devastated over the death of Herbert Wigwe, his family, and Ogunbanjo.

In a press statement by the governor, made available to the journalists on Saturday in Benin, he said, “The news of the passing of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Access Bank Holdings, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash in the United States of America has left me extremely shocked and devastated.

“We also unfortunately lost Wigwe’s wife and son as well as the former group chairman of Nigeria Stock Exchange, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, in the crash.

“The tragic incident is painful and heart-wrenching and we pray for God’s abiding comfort in this profoundly difficult time.

“Wigwe was a colossus in Nigeria’s financial sector, leading Access Bank to become an international brand that placed Nigeria on the global map of first-class financial services.

“I commiserate with the Wigwe family, the Ogunbanjo family, Access Bank Holding, the Nigeria Stock Exchange, friends, and associates and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Atiku, Ibori Mourn:

Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has expressed sadness over the death of the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe.

Wigwe, alongside his wife, son and three others were reported to have died in a helicopter crash in the United States of America on Saturday morning (Nigeria time).

The accident also claimed the former group chairman of Nigeria Stock Exchange, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.

Atiku in a condolence message on his verified Instagram handle on Saturday night described the incident as a great loss.

According to him, “I’m deeply saddened to hear about the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, and his family.

“Indeed, Herbert Wigwe, consummate banker, education promoter, and philanthropist, numbered his days. On behalf of my family, my heart goes out to their loved ones and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident. May their souls rest in peace.”

On his part, a former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, also described the accident as a tragedy while commiserating with the families of the deceased.

Ibori wrote on his verified Instagram handle, “Noooooooooooooooo Herbert! What a tragedy! Chizoba(Ibo), Herbert, true soul mates even in death!! Rest well comrades! Rest well!!”

Meanwhile, Edo state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who said he was devastated by the death of the banker, described the helicopter as a high regrettable crash.

Obaseki in a statement said, “The news of the passing of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Access Bank Holdings, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash in the United States of America has left me extremely shocked and devastated.

“We also unfortunately lost Wigwe’s wife and son as well as the former group chairman of Nigeria Stock Exchange, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, in the crash.

“The tragic incident is painful and heart wrenching and we pray for God’s abiding comfort in this profoundly difficult time.

“Wigwe was a colossus in Nigeria’s financial sector, leading Access Bank to become an international brand that placed Nigeria on the global map of first class financial services.

“I commiserate with the Wigwe family, the Ogunbanjo family, Access Bank Holding, the Nigeria Stock Exchange, friends and associates and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

President Bola Tinubu has cancelled plans to watch the Africa Cup of Nations final live in Abidjan between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and host country Côte d’Ivoire.

Tinubu, who has come under fire since news filtered from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that he was billed to attend the final match on Sunday, has now delegated his vice, Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead the presidential team in support of the Super Eagles on Sunday.

Shettima’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed the decision of the president on Saturday in a release.

Naija News House  had reported that the President, Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, had confirmed that Tinubu would be present at the stadium on Sunday to watch the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Motsepe, who disclosed this during a Media briefing shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday afternoon, had also urged Nigeria to bid for the FIFA World Cup.

Motsepe had said. “If you haven’t been to Lagos, you have never been in Africa… The President of Nigeria (Bola Tinubu) is coming to watch the final on Sunday I was told. I would have a conversation with him about it.”

Motsepe’s statement had elicited reactions from Nigerians, as many criticised the president for failing to show up to console victims of Plateau Christmas Eve massacre that claimed the lives of over 200 citizens and recent Bodija explosion in Ibadan that killed five and destroyed several houses.

An X user, @holusojy70, said, “He didn’t deem it fit to visit the people of plateau during their grieving period, Ibadan blast and the victims werent of importance to Him but AFCON final is of great importance to him.”

“I hope our goals won’t be gone like SUBSIDY. He should please stay in Aso Rock and watch from there. The team will bring the trophy home for him. Let him be in charge of the economy and Shetima in charge of security. We would appreciate Obi to be with the supporters,” @oladare_ayod said on X.

@Paledian, however, queried why Nigerians are optimistic and promote the country.

He wrote: “I don’t understand why many Nigerians don’t have a confidence in Nigeria hosting.

“This will promote your country in so mang ways. 2010 changed South Africa in so many ways.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has asserted that there are moles in the incumbent administration working secretly for the opposition.

Though he did not directly mention which party, Onanuga believed there were individuals who were leaking documents out to the public and stressed the need for the Federal Government to take decisive action to identify and remove individuals.

He noted that the civil service framework is currently under investigation following the request of the Presidency.

The purpose of this investigation, Onanuga said, is to identify and eliminate individuals who are considered “moles.”

Naijablitznews.com understands that a recent internal memo was allegedly leaked, suggesting that President Tinubu approved the disbursement of N500 million out of a total of N1 billion to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

These funds were intended for the inauguration of a 37-member Tripartite Committee responsible for discussing the New National Minimum Wage.

Onanuga, however, expressed displeasure with the development, stressing that these moles are responsible for the unauthorised disclosure of the classified documents.

“This step is crucial in ensuring the security and maintenance of sensitive information,” Daily Post quoted the presidential aide saying.

Onanuga said, “What is worrisome is, how come a memo written by SGF to the President bearing the President’s signature leaked out? It means that there are some fifth columnists-within the government.

“It’s not the first time a memo will leak. There was a memo leak when the President went to UNGA about a request for money to pay for his hotel bills, and you wonder where it is leaking from.

“There are so many moles around who are probably doing the bidding of the opposition. They do not respect the civil service rule for handling official secrets. And it shows that the government should look inwards to probe how memos between officials are getting into the public space. Memos that are supposed to be secret are not supposed to be flying all over the place.”

‘This Is Financial Recklessness’ – PDP Blasts Tinubu Over Purported Approval Of N500 Million For Inauguration Of New National Minimum Wage Committee

Earlier, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reacted to President Bola Tinubu’s purported approval of N500 million for the inauguration of the 37-man Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, inaugurated a 37-man Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on January 30, 2024.

However, a letter addressed to the President by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, released by an anonymous journalist, shows the initial request submitted to Tinubu was a budget of N1.8 billion, which he refused to approve.

The report alleged that Akume submitted another budget of N1 billion, but Tinubu insisted that the committee begin with N500 million.

Reacting, the opposition party, in a statement released through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the purported approval as the height of profligacy and financial recklessness.

PDP noted that it is highly provocative that Tinubu is spending such an amount of money, especially when Nigerians are undergoing excruciating economic hardship.

The PDP further called on Tinubu to speak out, come clean and address the nation on this weighty allegation.

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has issued a call to Muslims across Nigeria to observe the crescent of Sha’aban 1445AH.

The observation is scheduled to take place after sunset on Saturday, 29th Rajab, 1445AH, which corresponds to February 10, 2024, marking a significant preparatory step ahead of the forthcoming Ramadan fasting period.

In a statement released by the Deputy Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Prof Salisu Shehu, the Islamic body highlighted the importance of this observation in the Islamic lunar calendar.

Sha’aban, which is the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, signals the approach of Ramadan, the ninth month, known as the holy month of fasting for Muslims worldwide.

This announcement serves as a reminder for the Muslim community in Nigeria to prepare spiritually for the month of Ramadan, emphasizing the communal and observatory practices that define the Islamic faith.

Shehu said, “Scientifically, the expected time for the conjunction of the moon is on Friday, February 9, 2024 by 11:59pm. It is important to note that the moon appears and can be sighted usually long (even bearing other environmental factors) after the conjunction has taken place.”

Dare devil gunmen struck along highway to Lagos, attacked GUO Motors  abducted all the passengers, killed the driver leaving a teenage girl stranded.

Senator Ned Nwoko reported the incident on his official X.com on Saturday, February 10, 2024.

“This was reported to have happened to GUO yesterday. They killed the driver, left the small girl there, and kidnapped all the passengers.

This is the reason for the Law on self defense.

If the driver had a gun or any of the passengers, the kidnappers wouldn’t certainly have their way.

The only thing they have that good and law abiding citizens don’t have are guns.

The passengers might never be rescued and just imagine the poor little girl who will be traumatized for life.” – Senator Ned Nwoko.

WATCH VIDEO:

Amnesty International has said critics of President Bola Tinubu risk three-year jail term even as it condemns a fresh push for social media regulation by the All Progressives Congress- led government.

Explaining the implications of social media regulations in a series of tweets on Saturday, the human rights organisation said, “the social media regulation law keenly pushed by Nigerian politicians is set to be subject to vague and broad interpretations and will impose incredibly harsh punishments simply for criticising the authorities.”

With social media regulation, Amnesty International said, “Social media users will be punished for freely expressing their opinions. Govt. can arbitrarily shut down the internet and limit access to social media. Criticising the government will be punishable with penalties of up to three years in prison.”

It was reported On Friday that the human rights organisation identified Sada Soli, an All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Katsina State, as the brain behind the reintroduction of the law.

This comes shortly after Mr Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, called for social media regulation, describing it as a “societal menace, amidst public outrage sparked by economic hardship and insecurity.

“Social media has become a societal menace and must be regulated. As many people do not understand that once the send button is hit, there is a potential to reach millions of people around the world, which is capable of causing a great danger not just in society but even unintended consequences to the individuals that are receiving information which may include security of life,” said Mr Gbajabiamila.

Mr Gbajabiamila came under attack after the comment with some Nigerians asking the government to tackle insecurity, poverty and hunger aggravated by the government’s policies

The move to regulate social media comes amid criticisms of Mr Tinubu’s government over economic hardship as inflation drives food prices up astronomically.

Over the years, Nigerians have used social media for national discourse, ventilate views, mobilise protests and criticise politicians and government policies.

A bill proposed to regulate social media under Mr Tinubu’s predecessor, former president Muhammadu Buhari, failed as Nigerians pushed back, fearing it could be used to gag freedom of speech.

According to reports, the helicopter crashed on Friday night close to a border city between Nevada and California, killing five other people on board when it was en route to Las Vegas.

Unverified sources stated that Wigwe and his wife, Chizoba, and their son were also involved in the mishap.

As of Saturday morning, according to the New York Times, no survivors had been found, according to the officials.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) disclosed that a helicopter crashed Friday night near Nipton, California, with six people on board.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that no survivor has been found as of Saturday morning.

The FAA identified the aircraft as a Eurocopter EC 130.

Herbert Wigwe was an astute banker and top-notch entrepreneur who was born in Ibadan, Oyo State on 15 August 1966.

He had a degree in Accountancy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State. He also had an MA in Banking and Finance from the University College of North Wales (now Bangor), and an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of London.

He was the CEO of Access Holdings Plc, traded as Access Corporation until his death. Herbert was the Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank plc, one of Nigeria’s top five banking institutions, after succeeding his business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede from January 2014 till April 2022.

Wigwe served as the Chairman of Access Bank Ghana Limited, Access Investment & Securities Limited, Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS), and was the Chairman of Access Bank (UK) Limited.

He is a board member of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company and a member of the Advisory Board for Friends Africa. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN – FCA), a Fellow of The Institute of Credit Administration, and an Honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

In 2016, in recognition of “his exemplary role in the society and contributions to youth development”, the Boys’ Brigade (BB), inaugurated Herbert Wigwe, as State Patron for Lagos State Council in 2016.

Also,  Vanguard and The Sun, foremost Nigeria’s newspapers in 2016 named Wigwe as the Banker of The Year.

In 2021, he was also recognised as the African Banker of the Year at the 2021 edition of the African Banker Awards.

In October 2022, a Nigerian National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Former Chief of Staff, CoS, to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Oladeinde Arogbofa, is dead.

Arogbofa, a retired Brigadier General, died on Saturday morning at the age of 72.

He was born on November 10, 1952, in Oka-Akoko, Ondo State.

Arogbofa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1973.

He was Jonathan’s CoS from February 10, 2014, to May 29, 2015.

Arogbofa was an alumnus of several institutions, including Obafemi Awolowo University, Rochester Institute of Technology, the University of Alabama, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, the University of Lagos, and the University of Ibadan.

Until his death, Arogbofa served as the Chairman of the Centre for Research, Information Management and Media Development, CRIMMD.