By Ken Afor
While many, including government officials, captains of industries, and colleagues, gathered in Lagos to pay tribute to Dr. Herbert Wigwe, a former Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, another plane crash has occurred in the United States.
The most recent air accident took place near a highway in Nashville, Tennessee, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
In a post shared by the police department on X, five persons aboard the aircraft are feared dead.
The police also posted a picture of the severely damaged wreckage of the single-engine plane.
The police department wrote, “5 persons on board the airplane perished in the crash”.
Reports cited the Nashville Fire Department stating that there was a “heavy fire” upon their arrival at the scene.
Nashville police spokesman, Don Aaron was quoted by US media as saying that the plane had reported engine and power failure around 7:40 pm (0140 GMT Tuesday).
Despite being cleared for an emergency landing at Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport, it ultimately came down just a few kilometers from the airport.
He stated that both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will conduct investigations into the crash.
At the tributes for Wigwe, it offered a platform for heartfelt tributes from colleagues, family, and associates in attendance. Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, described the late Wigwe as a reliable friend, a mentee, and a supporter.
He said, “I am proud to name him my devoted friend, mentee and supporter. I will forever cherish the warmth of his friendship”.
He promised to name the road leading to the Dangote Refinery as Herbert Wigwe Road in honor of the late CEO.
On his part, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina
Described the late Wigwe as a relentless, determined, bold, and a visionary leader who made Africa proud.
He said, “He was relentless, determined, bold, visionary, inspiring, with exceptional drive for excellence. Everything he touched became gold. Herbert Wigwe brought pride to Nigeria and to Africa.”
Notable attendees included Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, Lagos state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Ogun state counterpart, Dr. Dapo Abiodun, as well as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, among others.
Also, prominent figures such as the Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia; Chairman of Coronation Capital, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; CEO of GTHoldings Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje; CEO of FirstBank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Adesola Adedutan; and the President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Ken Okpara, also attended the Night of Tributes.
TheNewDiplomat recalls that on February 9, 2024, six people, including Dr. Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, his son Chizi, former Nigerian Exchange Group Plc Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two crew members, died in a helicopter crash near Nipton, California, United States of America.
