Man on the Move: Celebrating Mazi Dona Nwokedi, MDN.
3 min read
Born into the family of Chief and Lolo Dennis Nwokedi, Amiyi Umuaka, Mr. Donatus Nwokedi, popularly addressed as Mr. Dona Nwokedi is an easy going Akalite whose heart is so large enough to accommodate people who are success driven. Considering his commitments and charity works to his community, the late Highlife music maestro, Oliver De Coque would describe people like Mazi DonaNwokedi MDN, as ezigbo nwa furu obodo ya n’ anya, meaning someone who loves his community.
In order to show the love he has for his people, MDN had some time ago built houses and donated them to some less privileged persons in the society. By the time those who benefited from this kind gesture moved into the houses, he then went into another form of community work. He provided the funds spent in grading some roads in Amiyi community, including the Umuaka Community Hospital Road.
During the time of ex governor Achike Udenwa, it was MDN himself who led a delegation of some prominent Akahlites to meet the governor to discuss some vital issues that concerned the interest of Umuaka in the government. This move paid off as it led to the birth of Njaba South Development Area and brought it into focus.
According to some findings made by Umuaka Times, a couple of decades ago, when MDN was in Lagos as a police officer, his house was a Mecca of some sort for Akahlites who created a vibrant competition among themselves and today, some of them have travelled overseas and others went into businesses locally. As a tireless philanthropist, MDN also provided some capacity buildings intervention programs for some less privileged fellows who went into businesses and apprenticeships. He told Umuaka Times that this gladdens his heart anytime he remembers that through him, some people are now gainfully employed.
MDN is a product of Community Primary school Amiyi, and St Augustine Grammar school, Nkwerre. before proceeding to Lagos and finally overseas. While in Lagos, he worked as a police officer in different departments including Tin Can Island Port and Seme Border in the Badagry area of Lagos.
As someone who cannot slow down in any of his activities and aspirations, he first went to the United States where he discovered that there was something missing in him and that was academic education, he then enrolled for a part time program at Truman College and Devry Institute of Technology in Chicago.
In Chicago, Nwokedi also explored the business side of the entertainment industry. Musicians like Oliver De Coque and others went to the US at some time or another for concerts based on his invitation and connections. It is on record that the nick names today MDN answers such as, Eze Ndi Igbo, Ochendu, Ogbuefi and more were given to him by the late Oliver and some Umuaka youths respectively in appreciation of his love for mankind.
As someone who has been involved in such activities, one may ask why he is still not a titled chief in any community in Igboland. Umuaka Times raised the question to him and he had this to say.”There have been calls for me to pick up a chieftaincy title but I believe it is not yet time as My father is still very much around. There cannot be two chiefs in a family.”
As a man on the move, sooner or later, MDN felt he was satisfied with living in the United States and moved to London. In London, he saw a more need to acquire more education. He went to Hastings College, University of Essex and Bedfordshire University.
A man who has passed through the Nigerian Police Force, lived in the United States and finally settled in the United Kingdom, is in the position to attract developments to his people because experience remains the motivating factor.
Mazi Dona Nwokedi told Umuaka Times that from indications within his reach, it is evident that he was getting old but his new age will not in any way stop him from helping those who deserve to be helped and building his community.
Umuaka Times celebrates you sir Mazi Dona Nwokedi MDN.
