About Mazi Ukonu
Medicine to Theatre Arts

Foreword

What dominant impressions individuals create in those they touch often help describe the persons to others. Reflections of the life of this man spanning eight decades pose the challenge of completeness but shed enduring light on the life of a trailblazer who attracted mutual love and respect along the paths of his life. Mazi Anyaogu Elekwachi is still admired by the old and young today. Any wonder then that his community naturally honored him as a man of the people, with the befitting title of “Maduoha 1 of Igbere.”

One is directed to know this man not only as a pioneer in Nigeria’s television but also as one who loved his work. As you read and learn more of him, certain images stand out. Attaching Mazi Ukonu to the Nigerian Television pairs comparatively to tying Don Hewitt to the 60 Minutes news magazine he pioneered in the USA in 1968. Barbara Walters, herself a pioneer of women anchors in major US networks, and others who worked with Don had these to say of their executive producer. They remembered him as one who loved what he did as he nourished and entertained America.

In that capacity, in Nigeria during the early 60’s, Mazi Ukonu, as he came to be known, also created programs that demonstrated his love for his profession as he nourished and entertained Nigeria. People were nourished with news and entertained with programs like Ukonu’s Club using the likes of Telechance to encourage the talented, especially the youth, to showcase their skills productively. Reading the book certainly will point one to more ways than just this pointer that endears our mentor and compatriot in our hearts.

While this whets your appetite for the context that follows, hopefully the reader will be drawn to similar conclusions and certainly keep reading for more of this man that has left indelible marks on the country Nigeria and the community he loves. Mazi Anyaogu Elekwachi Ukonu in more ways than what we remember to include in this project becomes an icon to us all who admire him endlessly. Judge for yourselves.

Alfred Eme Onyeuku, Osinaha 1, of Ibina Igbere.