Zenith Bank Plc has released a statement mourning the deceased Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe even as his community in Omueke in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State have declared a week long mourning period.
“We mourn with the Wigwe family and Access Holdings on the sudden transition of Dr. Herbert Wigwe CFR, his wife Chizoba and his son Chizi. Dr. Wigwe was an inspiring leader devoted to positive change and human empowerment. He left indelible footprints not only as the Group CEO of Access Holdings, but also with his numerous contributions to the advancement of the financial services industry and growth of the Nigerian economy.
“In this trying period, we remember the values he lived by and his humble and generous nature that made him so dear to many. We reflect on the impact he had in the lives of others and thank God Almighty for the legacy he left behind. May the souls of Herbert, Chizoba and Chizi rest in the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ,” part of the statement read.
Residents of the Omueke community in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, the hometown of late Herbert Wigwe, has declared an eight-day mourning, following the unfortunate development.
Already, the eight days mourning would begin on Wednesday 14th February, 2024, according to the Paramount Ruler, HRM Blessing Wagor.
Our correspondent who visited Omueke on Tuesday reports that many residents wore black as a sign of sympathy over the death of their illustrious son.
Speaking with The PUNCH correspondent, the monarch, HRM Wagor describe Wigwe’s death as painful, saying he touched many lives in the community, saying, “There is no family here that has not benefitted from him.”
He said the eight days of mourning would begin with a procession round the community, pointing out that they were expecting visitors outside the community and the state.
The statement read in part, “Nye –Nwe Ali and the entire Isiokpo ancient kingdom in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State mourn the death of Herbert Wigwe, the chairman of Access Holdings and Founder of Wigwe University.
“Royal Majesty, King Blessing A.N Wagor, the Wagidi XL,Nye Nwe Ali, Isiokpo Ancient Kingdom has directed eight days of mourning period.”
“The eight days mourning period begins on Wednesday 14th to Wednesday 21 February 2024. All shops in the area are to be closed from 8am – 4pm during the period of mourning.”
A relation of the late business mogul, Pastor Nduka Nsirim, who spoke to our correspondent in the community on Tuesday, said late Wigwe impacted positively on the people of the area, saying, news of his death was unbelievable.
Nsirim, who said he works with Arik Air stated, “When the news was confirmed, this whole village was no go area. People were crying, falling on the streets because nobody in this village will say he has not benefitted one thing or the other from him.
“A lot of young boys here are rich because of him (Wigwe). He has made them not really by giving them money, but through contacts.”
Meanwhile, work is still ongoing at the Wigwe University which he founded as hundreds of workers were seen in different areas going about their duties when our reporter visited the facility occupying a wide land mass.
A female timekeeper at the site who gave her name as Anidinma Awaji-Oyi, said since work started at the site, hundreds of people from Isiokpo and outside the area have been engaged.
She said the news of Wigwe’s death was shocking.
Asked how the workers received the news, she said, “We felt very sad. Personally, I feel very sad because the man was very good. In fact, anytime he was coming to the site the workers always rejoice.
“We are always happy even if you are not directly connected to him because he is not a bad person and the way he talks to people, the way he walks round the site. Sometimes he comes down from his vehicle and treks round.
“We saw the news on social media and everywhere became quiet, everybody was sad. In fact, on Sunday most of the workers were crying and saying why did this happen to this type of man.
“We were just asking questions about what happened and all that, and nobody believed it. On Sunday morning, when we came back for work the expatriates advised that there should be no work for that day. That the workers should go back home and resume on Monday been yesterday.”
Asked if she was scared the project might be stalled due to Wigwe’a death, she said, “No I don’t think so. I don’t pray for that.
“Nobody will want something like this (project) to stop because it may also be an opportunity for some people. This school I believe will offer scholarship to some people. So I don’t pray for the project to stop. Who knows one of my children may come to study here.
Another worker at the university, Reuben Chineme, also said the they received Wigwe’s passing with shock, saying he personally saw it on the social media and later heard it on Radio.
“It was a very sad news to all the workers here. He (Wigwe) usually comes to the site. Just two Sundays’ ago he was here. He usually moves round the whole site. Sometimes he will wave at us (greetings).
“It was shocking to hear that he was dead. It is very sad and painful, Even now you can see that we are not happy,” he said with an emotion-laden voice.
