…as fmr VP Osinbajo pours encomiums on him

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has hailed the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, for his philanthropy and dedication to the gospel.

Adeboye said this on Thursday at the combined Service of Songs for Wigwe, his wife, Doreen and their son, Chizi, which held at the RCCG Resurrection Parish, Lekki, Lagos.

The trio died in a helicopter crash in the United States of America early February alongside a former Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.

Reading an excerpt of Adeboye’s condolence message at the service was the Pastor in charge of Region 11 of RCCG and Head of the Blessed Family, Pastor Charles Pande, who gave the word of exhortation.

Adeboye’s message partly read, “Dr Wigwe was not only an accomplished professional but a fine gentleman, possessing a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities and business acumen. His dedication to philanthropy, nation-building, advocacy for children’s literacy and love for the arts made him a remarkable individual.

“More importantly, his commitment to the Christian faith and active involvement in spreading the gospel were exemplary. We share in your profound grief during his challenging time. The void left by Dr Herbert will be felt and his absence deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Paying tribute to the deceased banking whiz, the immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, recalled that Wigwe never asked him for a favour throughout his eight years in office.

He said, “I have known him for so many years. I’m not even sure how many years. While I was in office for the entire eight, Herbert called me practically every other month, just to say, ‘How are you doing?’ never asking for a favour. But two months before I left office, he called me and said he needed to see me. So, I thought, he must have some issue and he came with a notebook. I was very surprised because Herbert never comes with a notebook and he said that he wanted to know what my plans were after I left office. I laughed over it and he insisted and took note very diligently of everything that I said I wanted to do. Thereafter he visited me no less than three times before I left office.

“The Thursday before he died, he called me on Tuesday and said he was going to come see me in Abuja on Thursday and he did. We spent about three hours reviewing practically everything, the university, the philanthropy (initiatives) he was involved in, everything.”

Speaking further, Osinbajo said that the deceased was one who walked the talk when it comes to friendship

“I don’t think any event in recent times for me in particular has made it clear how important friendships and relationships are. Herbert was one who walked the talk of brotherhood and friendship,” he said.

Consoling the bereaved children, the former VP said, “No amount of words can heal your hearts but that you are not alone in your grief. This tragedy has troubled so many, both young and old. A deep dark cloud hangs over our hearts.

“This event has confronted me and many of us with our own mortality. One thing I will like you to know especially, the children. The manner of death is not as important to God; John was beheaded, Stephen was stoned to death, Elisha died of an ailment. What is important to God is the difference between dying and perishing.”

After the series of events in Lagos, activities will move to Rivers State for the Christian Wake-Keeping Friday at Wigwe University, Isiokpo, followed by a Combined Funeral Service on Saturday at RCCG, Lion of Judah Parish, Isiokpo and then a private interment ceremony. The final event is the outing service on Sunday at RCCG, Lion of Judah Parish, Isiokpo.

Some dignitaries at the service of songs include billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote; Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede; Senior Pastor of This Present House, Tony Rapu; lead pastor of the Trinity House Church, Lagos, Ituah Ighodalo; Senior Pastor of the House On The Rock church, Paul Adefarasin and his wife, Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin and a former Access Bank chairman, Dr Dere Awosika, among others.