Nigeria’s Oldest Newspaper Vendor, Pa Obinedu And Wife Buried The Same Day

Tears flowed freely even though it was indeed a celebration of lives well spent when the remains of Late Pa Ephraim Obinedu and his wife late, Mrs Mercy Ifeyinwa Obinedu was laid to eternal rest on Friday, 23rd may, 2014. Obinedu died and the wife could not bear it and died a week later.

He took up sales of Newspapers with Nnamdi Azikiwe group of Papers called 'West African Pilot' in the year 1942 after the completion of his elementary education. Find out details below

He was very industrious as far as his choice of Profession is concerned, hence the award of recognition by the NUJ, Anambra State Chapter, as the longest lived vendor in Nigeria.
Though, he had told journalists that he would now retire after the award due to his old age, but he never did so and died doing he job.

However, his retirement was not tiredness at all as he still supplied Newspapers to selected individuals at Ekwulobia and its environs from his country home until his demise on the 17th day of April 2014.

Pa Obinedu was born in the year 1920 AD into the family of Late Mr. And Mrs. Daniel Okeke Obinedu of Eziokwe Village, Ndikelionwu in Orumba north local government area of Anambra State, aged 95. He opened the womb of his mother to became the first Son of the three children of his parents.

Pa Obinedu started his early life when much priority was not given to western education. He lived with his parents at Awka and had his elementary education at St. Peter's CMS central school Amawbia. He was a trained typist and also studied book-keeping and accountancy.

At his youthful age, he loved to read newspapers and had passion for the printed words, as this triggered his choice of profession as a vendor.
His wife, Late Mrs Mercy Ifeyinwa Obinedu who also died on 7th day of May after the demise of her husband Pa Obinedu was born to the family of Late Mr and Mrs Eliezar Okoli of Umuejekwulum Kindred Ifite village of Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State.

She was the second daughter of the family. Mercy attended  her primary school education at St. Gabriel's secondary school Umuleri, were she completed her standard six.
Pa Obinedu married Mercy on 3rd September 1977 but unfortunately the marriage was not fruitful before death separated them, even though he married her at old age.

Rev. Patrick E. Ofor who delivered the homily extolled the exemplary legacy of Pa Ehpraim Obinedu and his wife Mrs Mercy Ifeyinwa Obinedu especially in respect of their commitment to the growth to the church.

With such a fulfilled life, it was no surprise that people from all walks of life turned up to pay them their final respect at the burial ceremony.

Reported exclusively by Emeka Onwudinjo