Beta Glass Plc, a subsidiary of Frigoglass Group, on Monday confirmed the death of its chairman of board of directors, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
The company, in a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd (NGX), in Lagos, said it would communicate the board’s succession plan in due time.
Mr Ogunbanjo died on February 9 in a helicopter crash in the United States alongside the group chief executive officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe. Mr Wigwe’s wife and son also died in the crash.
Chairman of Frigoglass Group’s board of directors Gagik Apkarian said the news of the passing of late Ogunbanjo was devastating.
Apkarian, also managing director of Tetrad Capital Partners, said the late Ogunbanjo served as chairman of Beta Glass for eight years with unrelenting commitment.
He said: “We are grateful for late Ogunbanjo’s numerous contributions, thoughtful leadership of the Beta Glass board, but extremely shocked that his time was cut short.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Abi’s family, friends, and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
Apkarian said that throughout the late chairman’s long and successful tenure on the board of Beta Glass, his leadership had been instrumental in driving the company’s growth.
He also helped the firm to become the largest manufacturer of glass containers and packaging solutions in West and Central Africa in his long and illustrious career.
Also, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Beta Glass Darren Bennett-Voci described the death of Ogunbanjo as a rude shock.
Bennett-Voci said: “I had the honour of working closely with him, and the news of his sudden and tragic passing shocked us all deeply.
“Abi’s leadership and unwavering dedication leaves an enduring mark on Beta Glass, shaping our journey and inspiring us to continue to strive for excellence.
“We shall honour his legacy by continuing to uphold the values and vision he instilled in our organisation.
“In the interim, the company will continue to receive support from its Board of Directors.”
Late Ogunbanjo also sat on the board of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping and was a former chairman of Nigerian Exchange Ltd., Group (NGX Group).
He was a member of the International Bar Association, Nigerian Bar Association, Institute of Petroleum, London; Institute of Directors, and managing partner at Chris Ogunbanjo & Co.