This site is a tribute to Onyema Ede. He is much loved and will always be remembered.

ABOUT ONYEMA PAUL:

A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF LATE SIR PAUL ONYEMA EDE

The birth of a child brings much joy and Jubilation not only to his family but to the human race in general. Party and merriment are splashed as friends, relatives and well wishers are invited in celebration to welcome the new born child to the world. 

And so it was on, Sunday the 23rd day of June, 1957 the couple, Chief and Ezinne Jonah Ede were blessed with a baby boy who they later named Paul Onyema Ede, my dad.

 Early Life and Education

As a child and first son of the family, Onyeme was well cherished and cared for by his parents. We understand that his father Jonah will ride him in his white bicycle called White Horse to neighbouring villages just to entertain him. Owing such bicycles those days is like owning one of the luxury SUVs today. Onyema obviously had an interesting childhood. 

His academic pursuit was remarkable. He started his primary education at Group School Agbani Town where he did only primary 3 before moving to Central School, Agbani Station where he finished his primary education and made credit in his First School Leaving Certificate. 

Such certificate those days is arguably equivalent to an A level certificate today. Though he will later attend Commercial School as they call it those days he nevertheless he didn't continue immediately after his FSLC owing largely to the death of his father. 

Being the first son who naturally becomes the new father of the home he then learnt a trade from which proceeds he supported his widowed mother and 2 younger siblings.

Daddy Onyema was a bright and smart man. Everyone who has met him and has done anything with him can attest to his high intelligence. But his greatest gift from God was his diligence (hard work). He was a man possessed of boundless energy and strength even till his last days. He was never sickly or feeble. I have never seen him get admitted in the hospital all my life. 

As a young man, he engaged in several trades and businesses to provide for himself as well as his family. He was a professional tailor and practised this trade for some years at Agbani station. 

In 1976 (shortly after the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War) daddy fell to the then trend of youths migrating to the North in pursuit of greener pasture. He settled at Kano where unlike many others he got trained as a builder under six months. On graduation, he went into practice. From Kano the job took him to Kaduna, Maiduguri and Jos. He prospered in the profession. His sojourn in the North was however cut short following a terrible work place accident. It was actually a miracle that he survived as he fell from a 3-storey building under construction. The accident however broke his femur (thigh bone). He returned to Enugu in order to receive proper healthcare. Six months later when his fracture had healed he traveled to Nnewi pursuing building contracts, a venture he held until 1988 when he returned to Agbani and got married to his heart rob, our mum Mrs Chinagorom Ede.

The marriage is blessed with six children, 4 women and 2 men.

Daddy was a man we his children cherished and admire so much. He was a man, thoughtful and kind with lots of desirable virtues. His alias "Ogaranya" translated "Richman" or "a man of wealth", he earned in recognition of his generous and giving character. Onyema was a man who took delight in helping people with whatever he had even at the expense of his personal comfort and that of his family. This his giving freely sometime brings us his children and sometimes his wife into conflict with him. 

In such situations, he will simple tell us not to stand on his way to fulfilling what he considered his mission and Sojourn in this life and ultimately what gives him joy.

His quest to help his community and support small businesses especially market women led him to establish a local micro finance bank where he gives soft loans to mostly market women and other small businesses. The payment plan is very flexible that it helps the women achieve business growth. Many women here today are beneficially of this scheme. The return from this enterprise is still coming in even after his death.

My father loves reading and listening to radio. I have since learnt this two progressive skills from him. His local pastor said he is the highest customer in the church bookshop. He buys book all the time and use to share financial, business and spiritual books to people free of charge. My first books on financial literacy like "The Richest man in Babylon", "Think and Grow Rich" and "Rich Dad poor Dad" were all given to me by my dad. Today I have many of those books on my bookshelf and those books has changed my life.

My dad do not just read but practice the principles he learnt from the books as he has since established 3 successful businesses. 

Today my dad has a successful Banana and Plantain plantation, a mini Real Estates Property and the above described local Microfinance Bank which has given out millions of naira to small businesses.

My dad is a Christian, a pentecostal Christian. The beginning of his born again Christian experience was around 2016 when he had an encounter. According to what he told us an angel appeared in his dream and revealed hell to him asking him to turn away from his evil ways and embark on concecretion through a 30 days fasting. He gave his life to Christ as he awoke and ensured he completed the 30 days fasting. It was his adherence to the fasting schedule that made us know he truly had an encounter. Though his Christian life has been on and off I am happy that before he finally passed on he recommitted himself to God, praying and singing with us at his hospital bed. It was that night, Tuesday the 29th day of November 2022 that he passed into glory. Hallelujah!

Finally, all said and done, Dad was a good man. I and the rest of the family will miss him forever and that dearly. Farewell Nnam! Adieu Ogaranya!! Good night Landlord!!!