On this day, July 31, 1990, *Nze Sunday Ekenulo Onuoha- popularly known in his lifetime as *Nze Sunday Achonu ; a business titan and the founder of Alaba International Market, Lagos, died in a ghastly motor accident in Ore, Ondo State. He was traveling in his Toyota Land Cruiser jeep.
Born to Ekenulo Onuoha, a successful textile trader who passed away while Sunday was still young, he had no formal Western education. Yet he carried native wisdom, courage, and uncommon vision.
Nze Ekenulo, Onumonu Ozo Oguejiofor Amaigbo and Ideh Ukwu was an iconic Igbo trader and philanthropist.
He started as a large-scale textile trader in Aba after completing his apprenticeship under our great uncle, *Nze Ignatius Mazie Anyiam*, a respected businessman in Aba.
From there he expanded to Port Harcourt and Warri and later moved to Lagos where he continued large scale textile.
In Lagos he established bakeries across the city, and became one of the biggest flour mill distributors in Nigeria, second only to Chief M.K.O. Abiola at the time. He diversified into real estate, transportation, and large-scale importation of general merchandise .
Above business, he was a builder of men.
Countless Igbo young men who came to Lagos with nothing found shelter, training, and mentorship under him.
Many of them went on to become millionaires and billionaires across Igboland and beyond.
He gave many educational scholarships .
His passing marked the end of an era.
But his legacy lives on in Alaba International Market-the commercial empire he founded, which today employs and empowers hundreds of thousands.
Rest in Peace, My Great Father.
Ebubeagu Ekenulo
Son
