Wigwe’s Family Releases Burial Rites, Excludes RCCG City of David

The family of the late Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, has announced his burial arrangements, ostensibly excluding the Redeemed Christian Church Of God (RCCG), City of David Parish, Lagos, from the funeral programme.

Wigwe died alongside his wife, Chizoba, and son, Chizi, in a helicopter crash in California, the United States on February 9, 2024.

The former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo, was also aboard the ill-fated helicopter, with all passengers confirmed dead.

The family of the late businessman in the funeral announcement said the burial rites would commence with a celebration of the professional legacy of Wigwe at the Eko Hotel in Lagos on March 4 and will end with an outing service at the Redeemed Christian Church Of God (RCCG), Lion of Judah Parish, Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on March 10.

The lives of Chizi and Chizoba will be celebrated in separate ceremonies scheduled for March 5 at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, before a night of tribute a day later at the same venue.

A combined service of songs will be held on March 7 at the RCCG, Resurrection Parish, Lekki, Lagos, to be followed by a Christian wake-keeping at Wigwe University, Isiokpo in Rivers State.

The combined funeral and private internment service are slated for March 9.

Meanwhile, the City of David parish of the RCCG in Lagos, where the late Wigwes worshipped, was excluded from the burial programme.

It was gathered that the exclusion may not be unconnected with the lavish 60th birthday party of the parish senior pastor’s wife, Dr. Siju Iluyomade, after the death of the billionaire businessman.

Many Nigerians around the world have argued that the cleric’s wife, who was like a spiritual mother to the Wigwes, should have postponed or suspended her birthday party over the demise of the Access Holdings boss.