Amidst a sombre mood, 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.
This was as there are fears for Shyngle Wigwe, the father of the late Herbert Wigwe, after he was reported to have slumped earlier today.
It is unclear whether he survived it. There has been no confirmation of the report by the family.
Popularly remembered as the second Director General of the NTA, Shyngle Wigwe also served in the military along with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu in Kaduna at the time of the January 1966 coup.
Mourners gathered at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Isiokpo for a funeral service before proceeding to the private family tomb for the burial, which took place around 2:45 pm. Tears flowed freely as the caskets were lowered into the ground.
Herbert Wigwe, his wife, and his son tragically perished in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border in the United States on February 9, 2024. Also involved in the accident was the Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
The governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, offered his condolences and pledged the state government’s continued support for Wigwe University.
The funeral service was a gathering of prominent figures, with dignitaries including Kayode Fayemi, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Bukola Saraki, Aliko Dangote, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Alex Otti, Dapo Abiodun, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu in attendance.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, James Ibori, GTCO Holdings CEO Segun Agbaje, and numerous other distinguished guests also paid their respects.
His remains arrived in Nigeria on Friday, March 8, 2024.
Wigwe’s wife and son also perished in the tragic helicopter accident that occurred last month near the California-Nevada border in the United States.
The Wigwes’ bodies were transported to Port Harcourt International Airport from the US.
His remains, which were accompanied by a huge motorcade on Friday, had left the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in Ikwerre LGA, at about 1:33pm straight to his father’s compound in Omueke, Isiokpo.
Wigwe’s kinsmen had earlier insisted that their son must be buried in his hometown, Omueke, even as they vowed to deploy ancient tradition in finding out the cause of his death.
Family members and friends attended the Christian wake organised in honour of the deceased in the community on Friday.
