William Onyeabor: in memoriam

Evangelist William Ezechukwu Onyeabor was born 26th March 1946 into the Ogbodo Onyeabor family in Amodu
Awkunanaw in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State of Nigeria. Daddy was the fourth child of the late Evang Abner Ugwuogbodo Onyeabor and the late Ezinne Eunice Nwaejiofor Onyeabor of larger family in Amodu Awkunanaw Community, Enugu State, Nigeria.

His education
Daddy had his primary school education from 1954-1960 at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Utonko, in the Benue State of Nigeria. Being a very brilliant lad, he came out in flying  colours. That same year, Daddy joined his in-law the late Chief Aaron Orji in Cameroon and he sponsored his secondary education at the Regent Secretarial Institute,
Mamfe, Western Province of Cameroon, where he obtained Senior Secondary Commercial Certificate with credit in
1966. He had his diplomas/PGD in the processing and manufacturing of gramoxone records dics at the Institute of
Records Manufacturing of Technology at Toolex, Alpha Sund by Berg, Stockholm, Sweden.

He graduated in 1980. He also enrolled for his master’s programme at the Century University, U.S.A, to study flexible century programme in Business Administration. He spent two years out of the three years meant for the programme before his untimely death.

He was given a certificate of attendance to the numerous entrepreneurship and managerial workshops and seminars he attended in Nigeria and abroad. Daddy was indeed divinely endowed in versatility. He knew virtually every component in each discipline in mechanical engineer. In fact his precision in construction works was perfect to none. Thank God we had such an intelligent and smart dad. Daddy, “we are very proud of you”.

Married life
Daddy was married to his beloved wife, Jacinta Amoge Onyebor, and they are blessed with four children. He was
indeed a good father and wanted the best for us. He made sure we went to the best schools and he sponsored our
education up to university levels. He was a darling to us but highly disciplined and any short comings from us attracted thorough punishments. Thank God we had a father like you.

Life as a musician
As a young bachelor, he loved music so much as he was often seen with his guitar and he sang a lot to the admiration of his fans. Later in life, he proceeded to school to learn more about music and processing and manufacturing of record discs. Having acquired adequate technical knowledge, he established a recording studio called Wilfilms Ltd situated besides St Paul’s Catholic Parish, Agbani road, Enugu. Most musicians all over Nigeria came to the studio to record their music in the early seventies.

He released some musical tracks like “Atomic Bomb”, “One day you will be lying dead”, etc. These music tracks were real bombs in the eighties as they attracted millions of naira and fans to our daddy. Daddy’s monetary breakthrough began and many people, including his relations, enjoyed his financial blessings. He sole-handedly sponsored his younger siblings in school and took good care of all the other family members. He was indeed a good giver without boarders.

As his financial blessings increased, the Wilfilms Ltd metamorphosed into Amazing Magnetic Ltd with gigantic
building at Nos. 1-5 Williams Onyeabor Street, Enugu State, Nigeria. The company was segmented into departments namely: record discs manufacturing department, studio which is the recording department and the computer department which undertakes tutorial, internet accessing, office and secretarial duties, commercial photocopying etc.

As a born again Christian, Daddy released so many Christian tracks amongst which are “Thank you Jesus”, “Unforgiveness etc”. These hits, when listened to, draw the listeners’ mind to repentance and total submission to His creator (God). Daddy released most of his religious albums through his associates in Atlanta Georgia in the United State of America. He made good use of all his musical instruments. In fact, he was a good instrumental.

His roles during the Nigerian/Biafran civil war in 1967-70 Daddy fought with the Biafra army during the Nigeria/Biafra
war in 1967. During the war, he exhibited his skills, intelligence and bravery. He was among the troop that prevented the Nigerian army from destroying the Niger bridge. He fought at Nkpo and Nsukka sections. He was in charge of intelligence gathering and reporting to the Biafra headquarters, Umuahia, and he diligently performed his duties.

The Biafra/Nigeria war ended in 1970 and daddy survived and was lucky to reunite with all the members of his family
who were equally lucky to have survived the scourge of the civil war. “Thank you Jesus.”

His contributions to humanity
Daddy was a well-known philanthropist. He touched and impacted positively on many lives. They are many children
from poor homes that had and are still enjoying from his scholarship scheme. He built houses for many of his relatives and other less privileged ones in society. He provided help both in cash and in kind to many people. He also partnered with some religious organizations that rendered help to the less privileged ones.

His contributions to his community
He repaired the village link roads on a yearly basis. He provided electricity and water to his community. He
introduced a yearly football competition event among the five kindred of his community. This takes place every
December of the year and has united the whole community. Daddy was loved by the majority of his kinsmen.

His work experiences and posts held
Daddy’s working experiences exposed and connected him to different organizations and people of reputable character and integrity. These exposures helped him to be more focused on whatever he embarked on.

He was the managing director of Wilfilms Ltd. He recorded people’s music in the seventies. He was the chairman and managing director of Amazing Magnetic Ltd at Nos. 1-5  Wiliams Onyeabor Street, Awkunanaw, Enugu, where he applied his acquired technical knowledge in the processing and manufacturing of gramoxone record discs. A section of the company is used for a computer company where they undertake internet accessing, tutorial, secretarial duties, commercial photocopy etc.

He was the managing director and chief executive of Agro Giants International Ltd, a multipurpose enterprise in
Amodu Awkunanaw, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria. This pneumatic flour milling industry at Ugwudikpume was used
for the processing of maize grains and cassava flour into catapult lina fufu foods. These fufu were indeed continental
delicious meals and household names in many families in Enugu State and beyond. He was the national patron of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps. He was the chairman of the Police Public Relations committee (DCRC) in the old Anambra State for over six (6) years. He was the chairman, Police Public Relations Committee, (DCRC.) Awkunanaw Police Division for nine (9) years. As a Justice of Peace (JP), he served in a number of Judicial Commission of Enquiry notably, Hon. Olike Judicial Commission of enquiry on ABS Fire Disaster, 1981;
commission of enquiry on Anambra State University of Science and Technology; chairman, commission of enquiry
on Akwuke Community Chieftaincy Matters among others. He was a member of Board of Directors of old Anambra State Sports Council. He was the chairman of the Board of State owned Rangers Management Corporation, Enugu State. He was a promoter of human rights corps and finally, and once the chairman of Amodu Awkunanaw Progressive Town Union (AAPTU)

His award
Through daddy’s hard work, competency, diligence, achievements and honesty, many awards were accorded him. He was awarded Industrialist of the year 1986 by one time military governor of the old Anambra State. That same
year, he was awarded the Golden Mercury of Africa in London for his contributions to the culture and economic
development of Africa. He was made Justice of Peace (JP) and a member of Enugu State, Nigeria. He was awarded with the order of Nkanu land and finally, crowned Ezechukwu of Enugu State, Nigeria.

Christian life
Daddy was born into a Christian family and had ever since been working in God’s vineyards. He contributed immensely to the constructions of Methodist Church complex in his home town, Amodu Awkunanaw, and he sole-handedly built the reverend’s house within the church premises. He contributed financially to the construction of Methodist Church Wesley Cathedral, Uwani, Enugu. At a certain state in his life, he totally committed his life to the services of God. His response to greetings would always be “Thank God”. He visited churches to preach the gospel. He equally participated in numerous outreach evangelisms, laying emphasis on the importance of reading the Holy Bible. Many people that visited his home during the 2016 yuletide would attest to this because many of them had discussions with him on the word of God before getting the holy book as a gift from him. While alive, daddy made sure that all the members of his household worshipped the Lord and were inclined to reading their Holy Bibles on daily basic.

Daddy’s sudden departure has created a vacuum that will be difficult to replace but our hope is anchored on our creator whose time and season is the best. We thank God that our daddy had His blessings and was with Him when he was called to glory.

Daddy, you were highly disciplined but you took very good care of our welfare. Our education was your priority through the best schools. In order to be punctual to school, you became our driver, our father and our friend. You equally taught us to be hard working and we promise to work hard in order to sustain the legacies you left behind.

We love you
daddy and will always miss you.
Adieu-Our Warrior, Adieu-Ezechukwu Nwoke eji eje mba, Adieu-Okosisi Onyeabor, Adieu-The fantastic man, Adieu-
Great daddy, Adieu-Nwa-chukwu.

Rest in the bosom of the Lord till we meet to part no more.
Being the profile/tribute by Charles Onyekachi Onyeabor