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Wigwe’s philanthropy, dedication to gospel message exemplary – Adeboye
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has praised the late Herbert Wigwe, the chief executive officer of Access Holdings Plc, for his generosity and commitment to the gospel.
At the joint Service of Songs for Wigwe, his wife Doreen, and their son Chizi, which took place at the RCCG Resurrection Parish in Lekki, Lagos, on Thursday, Adeboye made this statement.
Together with Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former chairman of the Nigerian Exchange organisation, the three individuals perished in an American helicopter crash in early February.
Pastor Charles Pande, the Head of the Blessed Family and Pastor in charge of Region 11 of the RCCG, read a passage from Adeboye's sympathy message during the ceremony.
Part of Adeboye's letter said, "Dr. Wigwe was not only a fine gentleman and accomplished professional; he also possessed a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and business acumen." His exceptional qualities were his love of the arts, nation-building, generosity, and support of children's literacy.
More significantly, his zealous involvement in sharing the gospel and dedication to the Christian religion were admirable. We are grieving with you deeply during this difficult moment. All those who had the honour of knowing Dr. Herbert will feel his absence profoundly and the vacuum he left behind.
The recently retired vice president of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, paid respect to the late financial wizard and noted that in his eight years in office, Wigwe never asked for a favour.
"I have known him for so many years," he remarked. Even the number of years escapes me. Herbert contacted me essentially every other month during my eight months in office, without once asking for a favor—just to ask how I was doing. He contacted me, though, saying he needed to see me two months before I was leaving the office. I reasoned that since he arrived with a notebook, he must be having some problems. Herbert said he wanted to know what I was doing after work and I was extremely shocked because he never brings a notepad. He persisted and carefully noted everything I mentioned I intended to accomplish, even though I laughed at him. Afterwards he visited me no less than three times before I left office.
He told me on Tuesday that he would see me in Abuja on Thursday, the Thursday before he passed away, and he did. For over three hours, we went over everything—the university, his charitable endeavours, everything.
Osinbajo continued, saying that the dead was a person who lived out their friendships.
"I don't think anything that has happened recently, specifically for me, has highlighted the value of connections and friendships. He said, "Herbert was someone who lived the words of friendship and fraternity.
"No amount of words can heal your hearts, but know that you are not alone in your grief," the former vice president comforted the grieving children. Both young and old have been deeply shocked by this event. Our hearts are under a thick, gloomy cloud.
"This experience has made me and many others face our own mortality. I want you to know one thing in particular about the kids. For God, the way someone dies is not as significant; Elisha passed away from a disease, Stephen was stoned to death, and John was beheaded.
"This experience has made me and many others face our own mortality. I want you to know one thing in particular about the kids. For God, the way someone dies is not as significant; Elisha passed away from a disease, Stephen was stoned to death, and John was beheaded. The distinction between perishing and dying is significant to God.
Following the Lagos events, the Christian Wake-Keeping Friday will take place at Wigwe University in Isiokpo, Rivers State. On Saturday, there will be a combined funeral service at RCCG, Lion of Judah Parish, Isiokpo, and a private burial ceremony. The last event is Sunday's outing service at RCCG's Lion of Judah Parish in Isiokpo.
At the song service, there were a number of dignitaries in attendance, including billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Tony Rapu, Senior Pastor of This Present House, Ituah Ighodalo, Lead Pastor of Trinity House Church, Lagos, Paul Adefarasin, his wife, Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin, and Dr. Dere Awosika, former chairman of Access Bank, among others.