From GEORGE ONYEJIUWA,Owerri

As Igbo mourn the death of renowned industrialist and philanthropist, Chief John Richard Anyaehie, his family has slated his burial for next month, with the head of the Anglican communion worldwide expected to grace the event. The foremost industrialist died two weeks ago, in London, at the age of 90.

Daily Sun gathered that the family members of the deceased, having recovered from the initial shock, had begun work in earnest in order not to leave any stone unturned for the burial slated for March 20 and 21, 2014.

Last weekend, children of the deceased played host to several sympathisers,  who called to console the family. Among dignitaries, who called at the family’s home in Nkwerre, Imo State, last week included the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; Chairman-designate of the National Population Commission, Chief Eze Duruihuoma, and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme of the Court of Appeal.

Within the state, the death of the highly reverend icon is being widely discussed, as many pay him glowing tributes for living a selfless and exemplary life in spite of his tremendous wealth.

In his comments on the condolence register, Hon Ihedioha noted that the late Anyaehie’s “contributions to mankind will remain evergreen,” while Duruihuoma described him as  a “great Iroko of your time.”

Born on November 27, 1923, Anyaehie sat on top of a business empire that spans real estate, banking and manufacturing, which included paints, aluminum roofing sheets and mattresses.

He was a director of several banks, including the famous but defunct African Continental Bank (ACB) Limited and later Progress Bank Limited and Hallmark Bank Limited. He was also the  Managing Director, J.R. Anyaehie and Co Ltd, Chairman/Chief Executive, Anyaehie Foundation Co. (Nig) Ltd., Chairman, Metcome Nigeria Limited, Managing Director, Richards Industries Limited and Chairman/Managing Director ADP (Nig) Limited.

Anyaehie began his career in the defunct Public Works Department (PWD) in the former Eastern Region of Nigerian, where he worked between 1948 and 1952. Before them,  he had served in the World War  11 in Burma after his primary education at the All Saints School Abayi, Aba between 1933 and 1938. Upon his return from the World War II in 1945, he enrolled at the Government Trade Centre, Enugu, where he obtained Trade Certificate Grade I in 1947.

Through the Anyaehie Foundation, he performed several acts of philanthropy through scholarships and donations to the less privileged. In the earlier 2000, Sir Anyaehie single-handed built the Saint Peter and Paul Anglican Cathedral, Nkwerre, a breath-taking edifice said to have cost over N5billion. He also made huge donations to several other churches, including Pentecostal  and the Catholic Church throughout the state.

Sometime last year, Anyaehie doled out over N4billion in cash to individuals, churches, orphanages, youths organisations, widows, etc, in a move that stunned his children, who spent over one week working on the list of recipients under the close watch of their ailing father.

Towards the end of last year, he began the construction of a mausoleum in his country home in Nkwerre and which is estimated to cost N30 million.

The late business mogul, who was a Knight of St. Christopher, holds the traditional titles of Omehereuzo 1 of Orlu, Agbawodike Izu 1 of Nkwerre, Chubuzor 1 of Mbieri and Utuagbaigwe 1 of Mbaise.


Source: Sun