Mazi Michael Igwe Onyeador was born in1926.He attended Government School Udi. In his quest for better education, he left for Port Harcourt and enrolled in St. Mary’s Primary School under the tutelage of his brother late Mazi Otti Onyeador. After certification, he joined his other senior Brother late Mazi Joseph Onyeador who was residing in the Northern Region of Nigeria.
There in the far North, he was nurtured and he eventually ventured into merchandising and agency for Agricultural Products, especially cotton and groundnut seeds. Having made his mark in his business relationship with Northern Nigeria Marketing Board, he and the Late Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim (GNPP and Politics without Bitterness fame) were appointed Sole Agent for (UAC) United Company of Nigeria and (PZ) Patterson Zochonnis to cover Mallam Maduri, Hadejia, Kefin Hausa, Nguru and their suburbs, as their Produce Buying Agents. They were entrusted with huge amount of money (Pounds and Shillings then) which were accounted for without qualms. Because it was built on trust, that partnership worked until 1966 when the Nigerian crisis and subsequent Civil War disrupted it.
He quickly returned to Eastern Region and settled at Port Harcourt. And in union with his brother Late Sir Alex Onyeador, they continued with Agric product agency. This time in Palm Oil. Unfortunately, the business could not be sustained for a longtime due to the invasion of Port Harcourt by the Federal Troops. Consequently, they were all compelled to retire to Arochukwu and in turn adjusted to the tempo and the rhythm of the bullet and air raids.
The war eventually ended in 1970 and to God be the glory for happy survival!. Surviving the peace becomes a challenge and Dede hurriedly went back to the North to continue with his business. With the advent of “Oil Boom” (or doom?), there were total downturns in Agric-Oriented business. Agric sector was totally neglected for greener pastures in favour of quick cash petroleum business. As a result, cash crops could not be sustained and it gave way to Subsistence Agriculture that punctured all efforts to stay afloat in that very Agric Sector. Then came the moment of decision-making. There and then, he adjusted his focus and went into Hotel Commercial cum Distributive Business, and in no distant time, he was appointed a Distributor for Nigerian Breweries, Guinness Nigeria Plc, North Breweries and International Breweries. With many distributive outlets it became the mainstay of his business-MEKADORS NIGERIA LIMITED of which he was the Chairman/Managing Director. He was also a Resident Director of International Hotels of Northern Traders Corporation Ltd, Kano, which coincidentally became the major outlet for the distribution business- a workable partnership!!.
A very devout Catholic, he contributed immensely to the building of many Catholic Churches all over Nigeria –especially in the North where there was a challenge for evangelization. He was active member of our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, Kano and Association of St. Peter and Paul of Igbo community.
As a devout Christian, he believed strongly in the power of prayer. He has performed several pilgrimages both within and outside Nigeria. Papa was a dominant personality and a rallying point for Amuvis, Aros and Igbos in general in Kano – more so in the wake of any riot cum crisis. As a stunch member of Igbo Community Association, he was a cabinet member of Eze Igbo, Kano. He was Grand Patron of University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Kano branch, Grand Patron of Nzuko Aros, Amuvi Welfare Union, Kano. He had special spot in his heart for Udi /Amokwe /Achi communities probably because of his childhood reminiscences there. He participated in all their events.
In the home front, papa was kind, good, and caring father who loved hard work and simple things of life. He was not flamboyant. These and other good qualities endeared him to all who knew him. He believed in good education and did not spare effort, time and money to ensure that his children and many others too, received sound education. In spite of his great achievements, he remained humble. He was a peaceful and contented man. He is survived by his wife, Esther, children, sisters, several cousins, nephews, nieces and in laws.
MAY HIS GREAT SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE, AMEN.
By Ifeanyichukwu C. Onyeador
THE WAY OF LIFE- A TRIBUTE TO A CLASSIC ACHIEVER
I shall pass this way but once
Any good thing therefore that I can do
Or any kindness that I can show
Let me do it now
Let me not defer it nor neglect it
For I shall not pass this way again
This passage captures and capsulate the magnitude of Papa’s philosophical direction and inspiration. All through the years, this passage keeps on reoccurring in my mind especially as it suits and tallies with my father’s way of life. His business is centered on human development - investing on charity and goodness. He believed all are equal but life circumstances are different. He had never frowned at any opportunity to intervene in people’s predicament. A troubleshooter sort of. That has been his greatest joy, giving than receiving – in a biblical manner- “that the left hand will not know what the right hand is doing”. A saintly approach powered by divine instinct.
Yet it is an open secret because of the testimonies unfolding itself, to the extent that his children are seen as being over pampered, spoilt and spoon-fed just because of the parameters of his kind gestures that knows no bounds. My prayer is that those he left behind especially us, his children should imbibe the spirit of community-oriented life, devoid of discrimination and rancor. Papa, you have set for us a tall order and we shall strive to achieve it, by the special grace of God.
Your saintly steadfastness in your sickbed is second to none, supported by Mama, Martin, and Chima, whose services cannot be quantified. Only the almighty can reward them adequately. Amen. You see life as a dice. You throw it and joyfully accept the side it lands. To you, one should not kill himself for whatever you cannot change. I thank God for that resolve you had till the last whistle!
Daddy, you were the most wonderful of fathers, kind considerate, gentle and loving. A peaceful man, a decent man, an upright man, a humble man, a brilliant man and an encyclopedia of wisdom. A simple man of simple test but an icon. At this very end of your earthly sojourn, may the good Lord make you a heavenly candidate. As you pass this way to the great beyond, rest in perfect peace till we meet to part no more, Amen.
BY
IFEANYICHUKWU.C. ONYEADOR
TRIBUTE TO LATE MAZI MICHAEL IGWE ONYEADOR
BY
CHIEF (MAZI) CLEMENT .O. CHIJIOKE
It’s with grief that I and my family received the news of the call to glory of our beloved Dede, Mentor, Motivator and Source of inspiration Late Mazi Michael Igwe Onyeador, of blessed memory.
While as the President General Nzuko Aro, Kano State and the Chairman Alumni Association UNN, Mazi Onyeador, our life Patron, provided and guided me and my Cabinet with wise Counsel, guidance and patriotic overtures, which enabled us in all aspects and ramifications of community leadership. His hospitality and philanthropy to the less privileged will be greatly missed by all Aros in Kano and Diaspora.
May the Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest. Amen
Chief C. O. Chijioke
Chairman/CEO
Ashridge Group Ltd
25 Ekulu Ave, GRA Enugu.
