Ogbaru market pays last respect as Sir Mendu, Anambra market leader buried in grand style

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A prominent market leader in Anambra State and a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), High Chief Samuel Ajaefo Mendu, who was buried in his home town Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State Thursday, has been described as “a good man who affected the lives many positively”.

‘Onwa Ogidi’ as High Chief Mendu was popularly called was a Grand Patron and chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of Ogbaru Main Market, also known as Relief Market.

The president of the market who led the leadership and traders of Ogbaru Main Market to give Chief Mendu last honour, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu, said High Chief Mendu, was the “father”of the market.

He said it was Chief Mendu who restored peace to once volatile market, saying that his exit has created a big vacuum in the market.

The president said as expression of their honour the leadership did not impose any levy for the burial of the former BoT chairman but when they created WhatsApp platform for the purpose they realised over N5m from voluntary donations.

He said that was to attest the love the traders had for him because of the quality of life he lived, saying that Sir Mendu does not have class but relates with everybody since you are sincere and honest.

Ochiogu said both of them have been bossom friends for the past 27 years, saying that Chief Mendu has been his pillar of support in all his travails.

He said Chief Mendu does not fail to tell people that he is the only person who can bring sanity to Ogbaru Main Market and his confidence in him has been justified because since he (Ochiogu) became the president of the market, there has been no breaking of shops and carting away of money in the market.

In the past, he said, no day passed without money ranging up to N50m carted away.

In his tribute, the Acting BoT chairman, Eugene Nwanekezie, said that “Onwa” left a big shoe because of the type of person he was and the life he lived.

He however expressed optimism that having seen it all as former PG of the market among other positions, he would strive to live up to expectation in his new position.

The secretary of BoT, Chief Alex Nwosu, also extolled the qualities of Sir Mendu, stressing that he was highly honoured to have worked with him as the Secretary of BoT.

He assured that all those qualities Chief Mendu exhibited that brought peace and sanity in Ogbaru Main market, he would strive to maintain them.

The burial ceremony was attended by the traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alex Onyido and his cabinet chiefs among other prominent personalities.