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Nigerian man David Emare who was the oldest verified
African living in Manchester, UK, has passed away. Pa David, as he was
affectionately called, died in a Manchester hospital on Wednesday, 8th
June, surrounded
by family members. Helen, one of his daughters, summed up what many
others had already
said of him: "He was a man of great principle and determination."
Curtis Mclardie, his youngest grandson, said: "Grand daddy was a man
with a huge heart, always willing to help and assist. Our family, our
community, far and wide, has lost and the after life has gained a
humble giant."
Mr Emare was born in the Nigerian village of Igbanke, Edo State, in
1914, shortly after the outbreak of the First World War. He was his
parent’s oldest child and brother to Okoroba, Ogboi, Onyejumonu and
Emeye.
His parents both died when he was young and after learning a trade as
a blacksmith he bought and sold prayer mats to make ends meet,
travelling to Ghana to do so. He later sailed to Britain in search of a
new life in 1940 - the year after the Second World War broke out.
Despite his lack of a formal education, he found a job at Bradford
Gasworks and later worked for salvage company Goldberg in Oxford Road,
where he worked for 55 years until his retirement - travelling the
length and breadth of the UK during that time.
He never learned to read or write, but was fluent in at least eight different languages.
He never learned to read or write, but was fluent in at least eight different languages.
"I never went to school a day in my life," he once
said.
Mr Emare met his partner Alma Howard through mutual friends in 1958
and went on to have four children with her: Helen, 55; Godwin, 52;
Christopher, 50; and Paula, 49; as well as raising her eldest, Carol, as
his own. The couple were together for 18 years before separating, but
remained good friends
He had several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and
great-great-grandchildren – both in the UK and Nigeria. A book about his
life, entitled The Long Journey of Pa David Emare, was later written by
Emmanuel Nwene-Osuh,a community leader in Manchester.
As one of the pioneers in the formation of the Nigerian Association
in Manchester, he helped many Nigerian’s who required assistance upon
their arrival to the city. He considered himself a father figure to them
all, often providing them with accommodation in his own home, until
they could live independently.
He also told funny stories of his adventures and the people that he
had met. There were always words of wisdom to the younger generation.
Each of his children and grandchildren were each taken on a pilgrimage
back to Nigeria, so that they would know where he was from and know
their heritage.
David Emare was laid to rest on June 24, at Monton Street Church in Moss Side, Manchester at 11.30am.
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