Members of Igbakor Ikwerre USA/Canada (OIUSA/Canada), Inc., a 501(c) non-profit and the apex socio-cultural organization of Iwhurohna indigenes in North America, have expressed their grief and shock, following the death of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, PLC.
Wigwe was killed when a helicopter carrying him, his wife, son and Mr. Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, went down at the border between California and Nevada on Friday.
The president of the Dispora organization of Iwhurohna indigenes of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Anyawoke, expressed sadness over the death of Wigwe and three other victims in the fatal helicopter crash. He described the death of Wigwe, 57, as a great loss to Africa and the world.
Anyawoke said, “Wigwe’s death is not only a loss to members of the global banking and finance community, it is an irreparable loss to people of Africa, Nigeria, Rivers State and Iwhurohna in the Niger Delta region.”
He said that Nigerians and people of Rivers State in particular in North America are “greatly saddened and traumatized by the tragic death of a giant in the global banking industry like Mr. Herbert Wigwe,” adding, “we pray for his soul and the souls of his wife, son and Mr. Ogunbanjo to rest in peace.”
A member of the Diaspora organization, Professor Chris Wolumati Ogbondah, recalled that Mr. Wigwe had a lofty dream to establish a University in his home town of Isiokpo, Rivers State before his untimely death.
Professor Ogbondah who was an ex-president of the North America-based Nigerian group, said that, “Wigwe had a dream to build a Five-Star University, Wigwe University, in Isiokpo with the purpose to provide a world class learning and educational opportunities for people in Nigeria in particular and the world as a whole.”
Ogbondah who is an Emeritus Professor and Distinguished Scholar at the University of Northern Iowa, USA, urged the surviving members of Herbert Wigwe’s family and members of Isiokpo community to ensure the actualization of Wigwe’ dream.
He said: “His dream to establish a word class university in Isiokpo should not be allowed to die with him. His dream and vision should be kept alive because it was his unquestionable and known dream.”
Ms. Vera Ezimonye, a member of OUSA/Canada residing in Canada, called on members of Nigeria’ banking industry to “honor Wigwe as one of their greats by ensuring the completion and commencement of studies at the Wigwe University,” adding that, “This is a true way to mourn and honor Wigwe.”
Ezimonye noted that Wigwe’s dream was to establish a “university that would be a citadel of learning that will drive transformative change in Nigeria and Africa,” adding that, “members of OIUSA/Canada and Iwhurohna communities greatly mourn his tragic death.”
