[/caption]• Pour encomiums on deceased banker
• Learn from Wigwe’s death, Fubara cautions politicians
Activities in Isiokpo communities in Ikwere Local Council of Rivers State were paralysed as the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, and son, Chizi, were laid to rest yesterday.
The Guardian also observed tight security in the state as hundreds of security operatives including policemen, Civil Defence and the Department of State Services (DSS) were all on ground to ensure a hitch-free occasion.
The state Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, was on ground, supervising security operations.
Dignitaries comprising friends, associates and people who Wigwe impacted their lives both nationally and internationally turned out in large numbers to pay their last respect to him.
The late billionaire, whose burial service was held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lion of Judah Parish in Isiokpo, was said to have impacted several lives and lifted people out of poverty.
Present at the burial were Senate President Godswill Akpabio; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; business leader Aliko Dangote; former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Muhammadu Sanusi II; former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; Governors Alex Otti, Dapo Abiodun, Babajide Sawno-Olu, Siminilayi Fubara, Duoye Diri of Abia, Ogun, Lagos, Rivers and Bayelsa states respectively; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki and a former Nigerian diplomat, Dr. Godknows Igali.
Also, members of the clergy, traditional rulers and monarchs from across the state attended the burial.
Speaking at the burial ceremony Fubara wondered about the essence of life.
He noted that for such a large number of dignitaries to gather at Wigwe’s burial, he led an impactful life and made great contributions to humanity even within the short period he lived.
Turning to his fellow politicians, he said: “To our political class, what is all this trouble all about? You want to kill and bury, what is it all about?”
Fubara said Wigwe was not a politician, saying he quietly made his money through investments.
He added that by his wealth, Wigwe had the world in his palm and even controlled the political class.
“But today, with all the powers, he couldn’t control life. Is it not enough to ask ourselves, why are we struggling? Why are we not making impacts on the lives of our people,” he noted.
He charged the political class to go home and reflect on their actions and think about what they would be remembered for after death.
He gave the assurance that the dream of a Wigwe University, which the deceased had, would receive the necessary support it requires to be realised.
