By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
Traders at Ogbaru Main Market, popularly known as Relief Market near Onitsha, Anambra State trooped out in their numbers to accord befitting burial to one of their members and Chairman of Board of Trustees late, High Chief Samuel Ajaefo Mendu.
The burial ceremony was held at Ebenezer Anglican Church Primary school field, Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State after requiem service before he was buried in his compound, Ezi-Ogidi Village.
Late High Chief Mendu as he fondly called was a renowned businessman and philanthropist who as far back as in the 80’s became popular for his community service and beyond.
He was honoured with Chieftaincy title as Onwanetiliora by his Ogidi community and Onwa Inwelle-Ogidi, as well as other Chieftaincy titles which he was given in other parts of Nigeria including Onwa Ora Oko in Delta State, Onwa Ukpo, Balogun of Ishara Remo, Ochiliozua na Idemili, amongst others.
Until his death, Onwa Ogidi was Lord, Ogidi social club, Grand Patron, Great Committee of Friends, Patron, Royal Leaque of Nigeria, Patron and Trustee Committee of Fathers Club, Life Vice President, Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Board of Trustees Ogbaru Main Market amongst other.
Testifying the life of late High Chief Sam Mendu, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu described Mendu as someone who did not tolerate lies as well as a philanthropist and a business mogul who used his resources for the betterment of others.
Ochiogu who is the President-General of Ogbaru Main Market revealed that he was confident friend of Mendu and among all his friends, he was the only person who has slept with Mendu in one bed, disclosing that he has palled with him over twenty years.
” Onwa loved me because I speak truth and that was why he insisted that I must be the President-General of Ogbaru Main Market. He knew that I have the capability to transform Ogbaru Main Market. He told traders that if I could become the President of the Market, stories of burglary would stop. And actually, when I became the President-General of the Market, all forms of criminalities and traders losing several millions of Naira in the Market seized” Said Ochiogu.
He noted that he has repositioned Ogbaru Main Market by recovering the Market from flooding menance, innovation of solar lights in the Market, bore hole, provision of assorted fire extinguishers and other structural and infrastructural for the Market.
He, however, eulogized people who supported him both financial and in kind to see that Ogbaru Main Market give Mendu befitting burial, saying that people raised more than five Millions during the burial arrangements.
He lamented the possibility of getting someone like Onwa Ogidi in the Ogbaru Main Market, even as he advised Vice Chairman of BOT to emulate Chief Mendu, saying that after he concluded idea on how to Immortalize Onwa Ogidi, he would communicate to the entire traders through his executes.
Others who testified life of High Chief Sam Mendu were Secretary of BOT, Chief Enest Nwosu, Chief Eugene Nwanekezie , former President of the Market and acting Market BOT Chairman.
Appreciating his guests, Chief Obiora Ajaefo Mendu on behalf of Mendu family expressed his sincere gratitude to all for the prayers and support to their family, thanking all and sundry for what they contributed to the success of their father’s burial.
He wished God’s guidance and protection to them as they journey back to their various destinations.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included; Traditional ruler of Ogidi Kingdom, HRM pharm Alex Onyido, Various High Chiefs, Government functionaries, in-laws, Business Associates, Politicians, Captains of industry, Friends and well wishers amongst other, even as displaying culture dance and various Masquerade formed high point of the ceremony.
