LAGOS, Nigeria – The family of Herbert Wigwe, the late Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, has disclosed the burial arrangements for the businessman and his family, following their tragic demise in a helicopter crash.
The accident, which also claimed the lives of his wife, son, and Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, a former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, occurred near the border between Nevada and California while en route to Las Vegas.
The helicopter was identified as a Eurocopter EC 130.
In a solemn announcement on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, the Wigwe family laid out a series of events to honour the memory of the deceased. Notable in the announcement is the exclusion of Victoria Island, City of David parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
The ceremonies will kick off with a celebration of Herbert Wigwe’s professional legacy at the Eko Hotel in Lagos on March 4, culminating in an outing service at the Redeemed Christian Church Of God (RCCG), Lion of Judah Parish in Isiokpo, Ikwerre LGA, Rivers, on March 10.
The schedule includes separate ceremonies to celebrate the lives of Chizi and Chizoba Wigwe on March 5 at the Eko Hotel, followed by a night of tributes on March 6 at the same location.
A combined service of songs is set for March 7 at the RCCG, Resurrection Parish in Lekki, leading up to a Christian wake-keeping at Wigwe University in Isiokpo, Ikwerre LGA, Rivers, on March 8.
The burial programme will continue with a combined funeral and private interment service on March 9.
The detailed burial programme is as follows:
- Celebrating Herbert Wigwe: March 4, 2024, at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
- Celebrating Chizi Wigwe: March 5, 2024, at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, starting at 10:00 am.
- Celebrating Chizoba Wigwe: March 5, 2024, at the same venue, beginning at 5:00 pm.
- Night of Tributes: March 6, 2024, also at Eko Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos, from 5:00 pm.
- Combined Service of Songs: March 7, 2024, at RCCG, Resurrection Parish, Lekki, starting at 10:00 am.
- Christian Wake-Keeping: March 8, 2024, at Wigwe University, Isiokpo, at 6:00 pm.
- Combined Funeral Service and Private Interment Ceremony: March 9, 2024, at RCCG, Lion of Judah Parish, Isiokpo, starting at 10:00 am.
- Outing Service: March 10, 2024, at the same location.
Controversy has arisen around the exclusion of the City of David parish of the RCCG from the burial programme, following a birthday party hosted by the senior pastor’s wife, Siju Iluyoma, shortly after the tragic incident.
Critics argued that the celebration should have been postponed out of respect for the Wigwe family, prominent members of their congregation.
The Wigwe family’s loss has resonated deeply within the Nigerian community and beyond, sparking an outpouring of condolences and support.
As the nation prepares to bid farewell to Herbert Wigwe and his loved ones, their legacy and contributions to society will be remembered and celebrated through the planned ceremonies.
