Isiokpo – the hometown of the late renowned billionaire and CEO of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, has declared a seven-day mourning over the demise of the 57-year-old.
This is as Nigerians at home and the diaspora have continued to pour in condolence messages for the late Nigerian bank owner.
The 57-year-old Rivers statesman Herbert Wigwe was heading to the city of Las Vegas in a Eurocopter EC 130 chopper to watch Super Bowl, the annual league championship game of the National Football League (NFL) of the United States when the aircraft crashed.
The CEO was in the company of five others including his wife and son when the chopper crashed near Nipton, California on Friday at 10 a.m. local time.
The seven-day mourning was announced on Tuesday by the Nye-Nwe-Eli of Isiokpo, His Royal Majesty, Eze Blessing Ahiazunwo Wagor.
The mourning period will begin on Wednesday, and all businesses are expected to be closed on the first and last day of the seven-day with half-day operations on the remaining days.
Residents in the town have been observed to be dressed in black attires in line with the moment.
According to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member, Michael Graham, “Witness reports to the weather condition at the time of the accident suggest rain and a wintry mix.”
Nigerians including President Bola Tinubu, WTO boss Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and many others have issued tributes to the late Herbert Wigwe.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, political economist Pat Utomi, Founder of Stanbic IBTC and Anap Foundation, Atedo Peterside, and others have paid a courtesy visit to Wigwe’s parents.
“In the company of Dr. Aliko Dangote and a group of close friends and associates, we gathered to express our heartfelt condolences to Pastor Shyngle Wigwe and his wife, Mrs. Stella Wigwe.
“These sorrowful parents have suffered the loss of their beloved sons, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, Mrs. Chizoba, and his son Chizi, in a tragic helicopter accident.” Abiodun’s caption read.
