The remains of the chief executive officer of Access Holdings, Dr Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba, and son, Chizzy, were on Saturday laid to rest in Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State amidst tears and encomiums from sympathisers.
At The Redeemed Christian Church of God in Isiokpo, their remains were brought in separately in a motorcade at 11 a.m., and they were carried inside for a lengthy funeral service.
Hundreds of people in the community sobbed over the tragedy that had befallen them, creating a very solemn atmosphere.
The remains of Wigwe, his wife Doreen Chizoba, and their first son Chizzy, 29, were interred inside the Wigwe University that he had constructed in Isiokpo shortly after a funeral service.
Seas of tears were shed as their bodies were lowered during the last funeral ceremony, which was mostly attended by family members and a small number of other people.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the late Wigwe’s qualities during the funeral service. Speaking on behalf of the federal government and the National Assembly, he described the burial as “abnormal” due to the tragedy that claimed the trio’s lives.
He added that Wigwe had a unique human connection and that he was a globally recognized icon who touched many lives both inside and outside of Nigeria.
Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, expressed earlier that the state’s condolences go out to the bereaved family, while also emphasizing the importance of leading a meaningful life and the helplessness of man when he passes away.
Fubara said, “I have this question always in my mind. What is life all about? Yesterday (Friday) night, we sang a hymn, ‘Fading away like the sun in the morning’; and I came to a conclusion that life is not the one million years we lived, but even if we spend an hour, let the hour be impactful. He has made a great contribution to humanity.
“Here lies our brother, his wife and son. Everyone has come to celebrate them, it means that even the short period he lived, he had an impactful life.”
Along with warning politicians about the futility of their efforts and their desperation for power and control, he pointed out that Wigwe was not a politician but rather a wealthy and influential businessman who attained success through hard work and ingenuity.
Former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal said in an interview with newsmen that Nigeria lost a great soul in his prime.
Dignitaries in attendance included Governors Babajide Samwo-Olu of Lagos State, Douye Diri of Bayela State, Alex Otti of Abia State, and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
Aliko Dangote, the CEO of the Dangote Group; Lamido Sanusi, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the former governor of Ekiti State; and Aminu Tambuwal, the former governor of Sokoto State, are among the others.
