A helicopter ferrying Herbert Wigwe, promoter of Wigwe University, has reportedly crashed, killing him and five others in California. There are unconfirmed reports that he was traveling with members of his family.
Reports said the chopper was headed to Las Vegas when it crashed near a border city between Nevada and California on Friday night.
Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, born 15 August, 1966 in Ibadan, was also the CEO of Access Holdings PLC, traded as Access Corporation.
He 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 in January 2014 till April 2022.
Days ago, he came under intense criticisms over payment of school fees in dollars in his Wigwe university.
However, Wigwe University has said its home students will pay their fees in naira, explaining that its decision for select dollar payment was a strategic one which aligns with its vision to attract a diverse and international student body.
In a statement issued by the institution, Wigwe university noted that it respected the concerns raised by some members of the public, and was obliged to clear the air on the matter.
“The decision to list our fees in USD is a strategic one, aligning with our vision to attract a diverse and international student body. By utilising USD, a universally accepted currency, we aim to provide clarity and transparency for our prospective students from around the world. We want to assure our home students that they will pay their tuition fees in Naira.
“As a hub for intellectual growth, we are not just building individuals, but contributing significantly to the economic development and growth of Nigeria and Africa at large. The presence of international students at Wigwe University has a positive ripple effect on the local economy.
“The exposure to the rich cultural and entrepreneurial landscape of Nigeria creates a potential avenue for future investments and business collaborations. Furthermore, the influx of international students will boost our local economy by bringing in USD, this positive impact will gradually reduce capital flight from our economy,” the school explained.
Wigwe University said it was dedicated to fostering a global learning environment with a focus on excellence, innovation, and inclusivity.
It stated that the institution’s commitment to providing a world class education is reflected in its distinguished faculty, with over 35 per cent hailing from prestigious international institutions.
In addition, Wigwe university said its state-of-the-art infrastructure rivals the best institutions globally, with its campus equipped with modern facilities, smart classrooms, cutting edge laboratories and comprehensive research centres.
