By Kevin Nengia
I’m convinced that for a long time Rivers State, Niger Delta and most especially the Ikwerres will find it difficult to fill the vacuum left by ace banker and investor, Dr. Herbert Wigwe.
I had that feeling yesterday while covering the Christian wake- keeping in honour of Herbert, his wife and son at Isiopko his country home in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The late banker from my observation touched his people immensely. I had boarded a bus to Isiopko and that was where I got the most touchy emotions. Two middle age women who had joined our bus from the Airport junction just before Omagwa could not hold their feelings. One of them cried” who will give me rice and money every Christmas”. The other one rained curses on those she felt may have had hands in the death of Wigwe and his family. The feeling was humbling and could make one tear up.
For me, these are the real accolades to a man who impacted on his people.
The community was solemn despite the presence of “high and the mighty”, who came to pay last respect to a man who sought to make Niger Delta and Rivers State proud in the banking sector. The likes of billionaire Arthur Eze, Aliko Dangote, Peter Obi, Governor’s of Ogun, Lagos and Rivers State, including Minister of FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike were all present.
Until 2022, I did not know much of Wigwe, even as a journalist. But it was clear that when he nursed the plan for Wigwe University in his home soil, Isiopko that he was poised to touch the lowest of the lowest. His philanthropy was not driven by mere publicity and image stunt many richmen were made of. It was “heart driven”. At Isiopko you could feel the pain of his people. A bright light was dimmed , a blasting horn was stiffled , a beautiful bride was cut short in his prime.
Wigwe from all indications had a vision not only with Wigwe University, but with every strand of his board room exposure. Someone showed me a vast land he had acquired for agro investment. Wigwe loved his people.
While I stood by the roadside watching the hurly burly of visitors hustle into the big tent dressed for the wake keep, I over heard some women pressing the security to allow them for the last time peek the remains of their brother and benefactor. But that would not be.
The charred remains of the Wigwes were ferried in from Omagwa Airport. They were not laid in public glare, but in the hearts of those who were touched by his glowing qualities.
The tribute from deposed Emir of Kano and former CBN Governor, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said it all- Wigwe was a man who you could hold in times of need. He was a friend who remained and stood when tremors came.
For the people of Isiokpo, an Iroko has fallen. For Rivers State, a bright light has dimmed and for Niger Delta, the blast of a horn from the thick forests of Ikwerre land was stifled. So sad a tale. May his soul and of his wife and son remain rested in God’s bossom.
Kevin Nengia is a journalist,writes in from Rivers State
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