By Ken Afor
As preparations for the burial of former Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash last month, alongside his wife and son, commence in top gear, there are reports that he built a private cemetery.
The cemetery is reportedly located within the environment of his university, Wigwe International University.
Some who have seen it described the cemetery as a mausoleum masterfully crafted to the taste of a billionaire as he was while alive.
According to media reports, while approaching the cemetery, there is a walkway which was constructed with state-of-the-art Italian Carrara marble and finished with foreign granite galaxy.
The top corner of the mausoleum is a visible inscription embossed with the caption: “Do not grief, for the joy of the Lord is your strength”. This obviously shows that the man, Wigwe wasn’t just a wealthy personality while alive, his death even speaks more of his wealth.
“He built this private cemetery before he started the university. His house here has been designed to have a special gate and walls separated from the university. I can tell you that he had a big vision. Very good vision and he was making efforts to ensure that those visions came to a reality. But what I cannot tell you right now is whether those visions will still be achieved”, Vanguard report noted, quoting a credible source.
It would be reclled that on February 9, 2024, six people, including Dr. Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, his son Chizi, former Nigerian Exchange Group Plc Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and two crew members, died in a helicopter crash near Nipton, California, United States of America. His death was a rude shock to many Nigerians and a colossal loss to the country’s banking sector.
Though, while circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be unraveled in Nigeria and in Rivers State in particular, his place of birth, residents of Isiokpo kingdom, are in high spirits to host the burial of their illustrious son.
Reports monitored by TheNewDiplomat indicate that major developments in the community where the late bank chief executive hailed from are undergoing massive rehabilitation to herald the arrival of the remains of Wigwe, his wife, and son.
Also, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Isiokpo parish, is not left out of the event as the church has undergone restructuring.
To accommodate the expected caliber of guests, dignitaries, and associates, including government officials at all levels, a massive expanse of land has been set aside to contain the number of cars expected for the guests.
Being a detribalized man, it was gathered that the Wigwe International University, which was nearing completion, had 60% of its labor workforce from Rivers State, with 20% from Isiokpo, and the remaining 20% from the rest of Nigeria. A touch of a detribalized man, one would say.
Following Wigwe’s death, there were concerns about whether the visions he had for the university would be fully implemented.
“It is only the owner of the vision that can implement his visions to the letter. I cannot say if those visions including the university will be accomplished in line with the dreams of the owner of the vision,” the source added.
The university buildings are undergoing rapid finishing touches, all adopting a uniform white color with some black corrugated roofs. Internal road construction is progressing quickly, and staff members are well aware of their roles.
Meanwhile, the RCCG Parish in Isiokpo is undergoing significant changes, with preparations for a funeral drawing attention. The 48-acre parish is bustling with activities, including sand-filling for expanded parking, renovation of a 1000-seater auditorium, and the church’s expansion into adjacent farmlands to accommodate anticipated guests.
The Parish pastor, Olaniyan Samuel, who spoke to the outlet, confirmed that the preparations aim to facilitate the smooth flow of both human and vehicular traffic on the upcoming event day.
“Our preparation here is to put everything in place to ensure that we ease both human and vehicular traffic on that day.
“Our brother Wigwe built the main church before he died. It was commissioned by the General Overseer (Pastor Enoch Adeboye). He lived a good life. We will celebrate him not to mourn because he lived a very good life worthy of emulation,” he said.
He disclosed that members of the church will wear Ankara material for the burial ceremony on Saturday, and on Sunday, they will dress in white for the Thanksgiving service.
“That is the way we want to celebrate him. We will forever remember him and his good works while he was alive”.
The parish pastor recalled that Dr. Wigwe visited the church premises a few days before his trip and pledged to ensure the completion of the electricity project he had initiated in the community.
“That was the last time we saw him. Some communities had started enjoying the light before his death”.
Despite the pain of their son’s death, the Wigwe family generously provided Ankara material for the church members in Isiokpo. In gratitude, Pastor Olaniyan announced plans to strengthen RCCG’s presence on the university campus to uphold the legacies and vision of the late Wigwe.
Describing the death of Wigwe, Dr. Chukwudi Dimgba, a renowned politician in Isiokpo, said the late foremost bank executive helped project the Isiokpo kingdom to global recognition through his projects.
He assured that the chiefs in the kingdom would do everything necessary to give their son, the wife, and his child a befitting burial.
“He was the light of Isiokpo kingdom. He put this kingdom on the global map through his numerous legacy projects and empowerment programs”.
“He will be accorded a full burial rite as a true son of the kingdom. Remember that two weeks ago, the King declared a 7-day mourning period in honour of his death. He deserves all the best because he was our light”.
Although preparations for the Wigwes’ burial are underway, the community’s youth have raised concerns and demand explanations from both the United States and Nigerian governments regarding the cause of the helicopter crash.
The Chief Security Officer of Isiokpo kingdom, Wobodo Amadi Jr., insists on transparency, rejecting recent reports citing weather conditions as the cause of the crash that claimed the lives of the Wigwes and three others.
“The US government should come and explain to us what killed our son. We will stage a peaceful protest at the American embassy, and the Villa (Nigeria’s Seat of power) in Abuja and occupy major roads for two weeks if we are not presented with a convincing reason for what led to his death. If they say the weather was bad, who then authorized the pilot to fly the helicopter?
“During the covid-19 pandemic, Wigwe donated N2billion to the federal government of Nigeria to cushion the effect of the widespread virus. Why then is the Nigerian government keeping silent in his death? What does anybody know that we don’t know? The death of our son was not natural. We demand an explanation”, he said.
In their preparations for the burial, Amadi said that the community’s youths are fully ready for the event. He stated that all the youths would wear black on the burial day and would be present at the Port Harcourt International Airport to receive the bodies and ensure security for the visitors.
“Everywhere including the hotels will be adequately secured. The youths will collaborate with other security agencies like the department of Security Services, DSS, Police and the Army to ensure that nothing untoward happens before, during and after the burial next week. There will also be a candle night in his honour”.
Regretting the demise of Dr. Wigwe, Amadi said he would be missed in many ways.
“Every year, he used to give us N100million for our annual carnival. He employed and empowered our youths. Our late brother contributed 80% to the peace we are enjoying in Isiokpo today.
“He made a promise that if any indigene got a first-class degree, such a person would be given automatic employment. He has been doing exactly that. If you go to Wigwe University, many of our youths are working there and earning good salaries. We are bitter about losing a good son like that”.
