In his eventful existence, Chief Nwaigwe Onyeanị embodied the essence of colonial and postcolonial professionalism of Nkanụ folks, the avid adventurism of Igbo people, and the nurtured nationalism of Nigerians. A tenacious traditionalist, he was a quintessential man of culture, a great man who believed in the wealth-domiciliation principle of “akụ ruo ụnọ,” and a successful businessman in estate and meat management.
The Onyeanị clan is rooted in now Nkanụ West LGA. Long before two major macadamized roads traversed the town from Udi to Agbanị and from Enugu to Port Harcourt, creating the now famous Four-Corner Junction, there was the Umungwu kindred in Ọzara. In this bucolic community lived the progenitor Ene Anịagụ, who descended from the earliest Ọkpatụ hunter-settlers.
Onyeanị Nwaene Anịagụ, son of Nnamanị Nwaene Anịagụ, and grandson of Ene Anịagụ, was born on the festival day of ‘Nri Anị Ọzara’; hence the name “Onyeanị,” a son of festivity, “a person (onye) of the Earth (Anị)” or, in a more modern parlance, “son of the soil”! As the lastborn of his parents and only son, he grew up privileged.
Chief Nwaigwe Onyeanị (Akamonyeeze III), the second of eight children born to Onyeanị Nwaene Anịagụ (Akamonyeeze I), started life in Ọzara. In 1950, he left the comfort of homeland and travelled across the River Niger to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in search of greater economic opportunities. He settled in Warri, which had fellow Nkanu entrepreneurs in the booming meat-marketing business. He learned the trade through the now famous Igbo business incubation: Ịgbaodibo.
He started small and expanded his business to Sapele and Benin City. He also operated a thriving provision store in Warri, with his wife Mrs. Regina Ujoegwu Onyeanị as the manageress.
During the Nigeria-Biafra War, Chief Onyeanị brought back his young family to Ọzara, the land of his ancestors. He refused to venture far from Ọzara. He was the first man to settle in Agụ Obodo. He braved the dangers of a vast forest over uncertainty in distant lands. Many locals ended up taking shelter in Agụ Obodo until 1970.
The vicious war ended, but rebuilding was not easy. He got contract roadworks in Obolo Afor and Nkanụ Agụ. He then went back to Warri and started from scratch. He rebuilt and took on real estate development in Enugu. The lessons of the war were not lost on him. He did not wish to carry all eggs in one basket.
After retiring from Warri and Sapele in then Bendel (now Delta) State, he returned to Ọzara and prospected for lands and build houses in and around Enugu.
Chief Onyeani was the first President of Ndidi Amaka Social Club of Warri. His probity with public funds earned him the position of treasurer of Okoroụba Progressive Union (OPU), Ọzara. He supported community development efforts, including the completion of Okoroụba Hall and the initiation of another in Umungwu quarters. He made supportive appearances at project-unveiling events by Ọzara Union USA (OUUSA), the association of Ọzara people in the USA.
He left footprints as a disciplined man with a high sense of self. He was consistent in his beliefs and never wavered in his convictions. He passed away doing what he loved. He lived and abided by the philosophy of his forefathers, and he passed it on to his own children.
Chief Nwaigwe Onyeanị (Akamonyeeze III), brother of Okeafọ Onyeanị (Akamonyeeze II) and Chibuike Onyeanị (Akamonyeeze IV), son of Onyeanị Nwaene Anịagụ (Akamonyeeze I), grandson of Nnamanị Nwaene Aniagụ, and great grandson of Ichie Ene Anịagụ was a great man of integrity. He lives!
Chief Izu Onyeanị (son)
Akamonyeeze VII
A celebration of the life of High Chief Nwaigwe Onyeanị will take place today January 3, 2026 at his country home.