As the nation mourns the loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings PLC and philanthropist, who died in a tragic helicopter crash with his wife and son, Isiokpo, his hometown in the Ikwerrre Local Government Area of Rivers State, has declared seven days of mourning in honour of their illustrious son.
The pronouncement was made by Isiokpo’s Nye-Nwe-Eli, His Royal Majesty, Eze Blessing Ahiazunwo Wagor.
Beginning Wednesday, the seven days of mourning will see the closure of all businesses on the first and last days, with half-day operations on the others.
According to sources who visited the village, the residents were dressed in black, reflecting the tone of the event.
Meanwhile, the United States authorities have said that witness reports suggest it was raining when a copter crashed in California near the Nevada border on Friday, killing Wigwe, his wife, son; as well as a former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo. Two other crew members died in the tragedy.
“Witness reports to the weather condition at the time of the accident suggest rain and a wintry mix,” said National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member, Michael Graham, at a briefing on Sunday.