March 2024 ACCOMPLISH Magazine

Herbert Wigwe's Family Distances
Itself from RCCG City of David
By Adebayo Afolabi
Herbert Wigwe, the former
Group Chief Executive
Officer (GCEO) of Access
Holdings Plc and a prominent
member of the RCCG, City of David
Parish, and a significant financial
supporter of the church, tragically
passed away in a helicopter crash in
the United States alongside his wife,
son, and business partner. Despite
• Dr. Mrs Siju Iluyomade
Wigwe's substantial contributions to
the development of the church, his
family made a surprising decision
to exclude RCCG, City of David,
from his burial service. This decision
may have been influenced by the
family's disappointment with the
leadership of RCCG, City of David
Parish, following a lavish birthday
celebration organised by Pastor
Idowu Iluyomade for his wife, just
days after Wigwe's death.
The extravagant celebration of
Dr. Siju Iluyomade's 60th birthday
has stirred criticism towards the
RCCG, City of David Parish, where
the late Herbert Wigwe was a
faithful member before his demise.
The colourful party, resembling
more of a carnival, held at the Eko
Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos
was attended by prominent figures.
Distinguished guests, including
billionaires and monarchs like the
Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Olaoye
Ghandi, and the Oniru of Oniru,
Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, graced
the party. Other notable guests
were billionaire businessman and
founder of Eleganza Group, Chief
Razaq Okoya, and his wife, Shade;
media
• Flavour celebrating with Dr. Mrs Siju Iluyomade
personality, Toke Makinwa;
comedian Ali Baba; singer Kenny
Saint-Brown and billionaire banker,
Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the
United Bank for Africa.
Videos circulating online showed
a popular artiste, Flavour, singing on
stage while Mrs. Iluyomade joyfully
danced alongside her guests. The
videos received mixed reactions
from the public, sparking a variety of
responses.
Another controversy arose from
the fact that Flavour, a secular
artiste, performed at the birthday
celebration of a pastor, with specific
attention drawn to his song choice,
"Big Baller." Some Nigerians voiced
concerns about the perceived
absence of Christian values in the
artiste and his music.
Before his passing, Wigwe was an
integral part of City of David Parish
where Dr. Iluyomade's husband
serves as pastor. Wigwe's dedication
to the church went beyond attending
Sunday services; he actively
contributed to its growth and
development.
As an influential figure, Wigwe
played a significant role in
financing the construction
of City of David's impressive
church buildings. He even
facilitated a loan from
Access Bank to ensure
the project's completion.
Additionally, he generously
supported Dr. Iluyomade's
Arise Women Conference and
her NGO.
However, the timing of Dr.
Iluyomade's lavish birthday
celebration, just a week after
Wigwe's passing, has raised
eyebrow. Many feel that such an
extravagant event so soon after
the death of a key benefactor is
insensitive and inappropriate.
20 | Accomplish Magazine