Herbert Wigwe’s father didn’t slump at funeral service — Source

Herbert Wigwe father Shyngle Wigwe
Shyngle Wigwe

A police source has debunked the rumour that Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, father of the late former chief executive officer of Access Holdings Plc Herbert Wigwe, slumped on Saturday at his son, daughter-in-law and grandchild’s funeral in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Wigwe, wife and son and a former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, died in a helicopter crash that occurred near a border town between California and Nevada in the United States on February 9.

An X influencer Tony Ogbuagu earlier wrote on the app that the senior Wigwe slumped and was taken to a nearby hospital.

“Herbert Wigwe’s father is not dead please. He only slumped and has been taken to the hospital. Make una slow down with all these bad news,” Ogbuagu claimed.

However, a police source quoted by Vanguard said Wigwe, who is in his 80s, was “hale and hearty”.

The source further said the Senate President Godswill Akpabio met and prayed for him.

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“The story of Pa Wigwe’s collapse is totally false. We should allow the family to mourn its dead and not add to the pain by writing false stories,” the source was quoted to have said.

The remains of the deceased have been buried at a private cemetery within the Wigwe University premises in Isiokpo.

Among the dignitaries who attended the funeral service were Akpabio, Wigwe’s business partner Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi; and former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

Also present was former presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Senator Seriake Dickson, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi among others.