The CEO of a major Nigerian bank, along with his wife and son, were among six people killed in a helicopter crash in the Mojave Desert near the California-Nevada border late Friday night. Access Bank chief executive Herbert Wigwe died in the crash, the bank confirmed in a statement on X.
Wigwe’s wife and son and the former group chairman of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, were also killed in the crash, World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said in a post on X. Authorities said both of the helicopter’s pilots were also killed.
The chartered Airbus EC130 helicopter was flying from Palm Springs, California, to Boulder City, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas, according to National Transportation Safety Board member Michael Graham.
The aircraft, which was operated by California-based charter company Orbic Air, took off around 8:45 p.m. PT and crashed just after 10 p.m. near Interstate 15 in Halloran Springs, California, Graham said.
The helicopter caught fire upon impact, Graham added, citing witness reports. Witnesses also reported rain and a wintry mix when the crash happened, he said.
The NTSB is investigating the cause of the crash and was at the scene in Halloran Springs, California, Saturday night collecting evidence, Graham said at a news conference. Authorities have yet to publicly identify the people killed but condolences have been pouring in for the Wigwe family and Ogunbanjo.
Source: CNN
In other news – I’m very religious but don’t go to church – Iyabo Ojo
Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has stated that unknown to many, she is “very religious”. She, however, said that she is not a churchgoer. Ojo recalled that she was the first person that gave her life to Christ in her family.
The thespian stated this in the latest episode of Celebrities Quickies when she was asked to reveal something people don’t know about her. Read more
