The City of David Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Lagos will not have any official involvement in the funeral service for the late Herbert Wigwe, former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc.
Wigwe, who tragically passed away aboard a helicopter in the US several weeks ago, was a valued member of the Parish.
The late banker, along with his wife, Chizoba; son, Chizi, and a former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo, lost their lives in the incident.
Following his demise, the wife of the Parish Pastor, Dr. Siju Iluyomade, hosted an extravagant birthday celebration that stirred controversy.
Numerous distinguished personalities attended the pastor’s wife’s party, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, which garnered criticism due to its timing so soon after the tragic deaths of prominent church members.
Expressing dismay, @lollystyleme commented on Instagram, “RIP Herbert Wigwe! Live your life to the fullest while you’re here. People only care when you’re still around.”
Similarly, Adenikeleg remarked, “What a total mess…even if the deceased were your own family members, would you still hold such a party? They were members of your church, for Christ’s sake. You are supposed to be their spiritual guide. Very insensitive and callous…even those in the world would not do this… look at Tony (Elumelu) too. Your colleague and his family perished less than a month ago, and you are here dancing at a tasteless callous party with another woman of the world hiding in the church. May God have mercy on all of us.”
Chukwudi Iwuchukwu added, “After all this charity and benevolence, common sense dictates that it is offensive and inappropriate to throw such a lavish party a week after the death of such a man, whose contributions sustained your husband’s ministry, while his body is still cold. I wonder what Wigwe would be feeling in the spirit world after witnessing such a carnival at the Eko Hotel Lagos, just a week after his passing. This is a lesson for the living.”
While some considered the social media comments mere distractions, the family’s released program of events notably omitted the Parish. This contrasts with the usual tradition of including the places where deceased individuals worshipped during their lifetime in their funeral ceremonies.
As per the program, the funeral for the Wigwe family will begin with a tribute to Herbert Wigwe’s professional legacy at the Eko Hotel in Lagos on March 4.
Separate ceremonies to honor Chizi and Chizoba are scheduled for March 5 at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, followed by a night of tributes on March 6 at the same venue.
On March 7, a combined service of songs will take place at the RCCG, Resurrection Parish, Lekki, followed by a Christian wake-keeping at Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Ikwerre LGA, Rivers.
On March 9, the funeral and private interment service for the family will be held.
The final service will be an outing ceremony at the Redeemed Christian Church Of God (RCCG), Lion of Judah Parish, Isiokpo, Ikwerre LGA, Rivers, on March 10.
