The folks of Isiokpo kingdom in Ikwerre Native Authorities Space of Rivers State on Wednesday vowed to make use of conventional means in investigating the circumstances surrounding the loss of life of their son, Herbert Wigwe, in a helicopter crash in america of America.
Wigwe, who was the Chief Government Officer of Entry Holdings, was killed alongside his spouse and son in a crash whereas travelling from Califonia to Nevava.
However peeved by his loss of life, the Isiokpo’s conventional management, throughout a procession to start eight days of mourning declared in Wigwe’s honour, stated on Wednesday that they’d deploy the traditional custom to unearth the circumstances resulting in his demise.
“We should get to the basis of the entire thing. Isiokpo is an historical metropolis. We should return to our conventional manner and discover out what actually killed Herbert Wigwe,” the normal ruler of Isiokpo, Blessing Wagor stated.
Our correspondent who visited the neighborhood on Wednesday noticed that markets, outlets and different enterprise premises within the kingdom have been shut, whereas the folks wore black attires to mourn the loss of life of Wigwe.
Many individuals in Omueke, Wigwe’s hometown and different communities in Isiokpo described him as beneficiant, calm and pleasant,
The procession that went around the communities terminated on the palace of the normal ruler of Isiokpo, Blessing Wagor, who was seated together with his council of chiefs to obtain a whole bunch of mourners.
The gang of mourners sang and referred to as on God to intervene and assist the neighborhood deal with what they described as an ‘unbelievable and incalculable’ loss.
Talking, the monarch, King Wigor, described Wigwe as a particular man to the neighborhood, saying he was championing the event of Isiokpo earlier than his surprising demise.
Wigor additional stated Wigwe lifted many younger males within the space from poverty and fulfilled many guarantees he made to the neighborhood.
He, nonetheless, expressed dismay that the neighborhood was anticipating the success of many different guarantees, together with the supply of electrical energy he made to the folks that might have affected extra lives positively earlier than his loss of life.
The monarch acknowledged, “Who will now full the continuing electrical energy venture he initiated? Who will give us gentle?”
On a few of Wigwe’s legacies, he stated, “He’s a particular man to us. We’re crying and mourning him. God is aware of every little thing. I received’t ask God why. We hand over every little thing to God. Might God give us the thoughts to endure it.
“We relied on him. He got here to develop Isiokpo. He was a beautiful individual to us. He left many legacies in the neighborhood. He cited a college right here. He made many guarantees. He promised us loads of issues. We’re in tears.
“The sunshine venture that he promised us continues to be ongoing. Who will give us gentle once more? He has gone, and we’re in ache. What occurs to our Christmas rice and bonus? He used to produce rice throughout Isiokpo.
“We loved him, and his loss of life is painful. He was humble, sincere and respectful.”
Whereas stating that Wigwe wouldn’t be buried wherever exterior Isiokpo, he famous that the neighborhood was ready for his stays to be given a conventional burial befitting him.
He, nonetheless, stated the neighborhood would return to its conventional apply to determine the true reason behind loss of life of Wigwe.
“We should historically bury him. He can’t be buried exterior Isiokpo. He should be buried right here. The Isiokpo should discover a option to probe his loss of life.
“We should get to the basis of the entire thing. Isiokpo is an historical metropolis. We should return to our conventional manner and discover out what actually killed Herbert Wigwe.
“If his loss of life is pure. We are going to know. Whether it is from a human, we’ll know.”
The king stated Wigwe’s loss of life had taught many to work exhausting and make a constructive affect of their communities, including that if Wigwe had not left such legacies, the whole Isiokpo wouldn’t be mourning him.
He added, “This loss of life is an instance to all of us. You could make affect in your neighborhood. If Herbert just isn’t a superb man, this crowd won’t collect right here immediately. We will’t be right here crying. Let’s observe Herbert Wigwe’s footsteps.”
The President of Isiokpo Youth Council and the Co-ordinating Chairman of all of the Ikwerre neighborhood youth leaders, Apostle Peter Ezemoye, stated the loss of life of Wigwe ought to be completely probed to search out out its actual trigger.
Ezemoye stated, “We’re not too snug with the tales. We, the youths of Isiokpo, are utilizing this chance to name on the Federal Authorities, the state and the Nationwide Meeting to look into this and observe up on investigations to know what truly occurred.
“We’re not shopping for into the tales. It’s a nice loss to us, and we are able to’t simply lose a brother and father like that. We would like the Interpol and the Nigerian authorities to search out out what truly occurred.
“I’m not a pilot, and I’m not an engineer, however in my layman’s understanding, when the climate is unhealthy, you don’t take off. So the engineering crew and the helicopter firm ought to be investigated. We’d like an intensive investigation to see what actually occurred.”
He flayed the loss of life of Wigwe, describing it as surprising, mentioning that the whole neighborhood had been crying because the unhappy information was confirmed.
He stated, :Wigwe was my boss; the information of his loss of life got here as a shock. I labored carefully with him. We deliberate with him over time with the issues he introduced right down to Isiokpo. Schooling is the important thing of each society. He had the concept of turning the city into the envy of many individuals.
“He made many guarantees to us. We have now been crying all today. We took to the streets immediately to mark the respect and love we’ve for him. In the present day is Valentine’s Lovers Day. You possibly can see the gang, the whole Isiokpo, the King and chiefs, together with the ladies, are right here immediately in solidarity.
“However one factor is essential. What is going on immediately reveals the affect he made in Isiokpo, Ikwerre and Rivers at massive. Different communities got here right here to partake within the procession. The one manner we are able to honour his loss of life is to make sure that his legacies are sustained. That’s the easiest way anybody can mourn him.
“We should defend all and guarantee we actualise all his desires and aspirations. His desires and his identify shouldn’t be allowed to enter extinction. We’re mourning him for eight days.
“However after immediately, actions will go on in the neighborhood on a low key. Wigwe did loads for the neighborhood.”