TEARS flowed freely when the remains of former Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen Chizoba, and son Chizzy were laid to rest today in a private mausoleum on the grounds of Wigwe University, the institution Dr Wigwe founded in Isiokpo, Rivers State.
The burial followed after the funeral service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The emotional congregation then proceeded to the family’s private tomb on the university grounds, where the burial rites commenced at 2:45 pm. Tears flowed freely as the caskets were tenderly lowered into their final resting place.
The tragic demise of Herbert Wigwe, his wife, and son occurred in a helicopter crash near the Nevada border in California on February 9, 2024.
Among the casualties was also Abimbola Ogunbanjo, Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.
Expressing condolences, Governor Siminalayi Fubara conveyed the state government’s unwavering support for Wigwe University in this challenging time.
The funeral service drew together a gathering of distinguished personalities, with notable figures such as Kayode Fayemi, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Bukola Saraki, Aliko Dangote, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Alex Otti, Dapo Abiodun, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu paying their respects to the departed souls
Meanwhile, the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus said the vacuum created by the death of Wigwe would be hard to fill up.
Secondus stated that the University Wigwe left behind in his home town would not only benefit his kinsmen, but the entire country.
“We are in pain because of the death of our brother. He has left a huge legacy that it would be very difficult for a very long time to fill.
“He was our brother and he was a leader and of course you know he was a financial guru. He was like a man who saw tomorrow.
“He dreamt and he followed his dream to the letter coming back home to establish the university that would have been the best and is still going to be the best in the world.
“It is one legacy that he has left that everybody in Isiokpo, in Rivers State, Nigeria and Africa as a whole would continue to remember him.”
Roll call
Some other dignitaries at the funeral were Governors Sim Fubara (Rivers), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).
Governor of Akwa Ubom state, Umo Eno; Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma, and the King of Okochiri Kingdom, Ateke Tom, are there.
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi: 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, are also at the event.
Also, the immediate past Bayelsa Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, and former Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi, are present.
Also, there was the state’s Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, who is the chief security officer, CSO, of the burial ceremony, and Dr Godknows Igali, a former Nigerian Ambassador.
Members of the clergy, traditional rulers from the Omoeke, Wigwe’s hometown, and monarchs from Isiokpo in general are in attendance.
