17/07/2024
Meet Nigeria’s millionaire Candido Da Rocha who sent his dirty clothes to Britain for laundry
Born in 1860 in Brazil, Candido Da Rocha was the son of Joao Esan Da Rocha, a former slave from the Yoruba subgroup Ilesha. At age 10, Joao Esan Da Rocha was captured and sold into slavery in Brazil in 1840. After gaining his freedom, Esan returned to Nigeria in 1871 when many freed slaves in Brazil traced their roots back to the Yoruba tribe Ilesha.
Upon his return, Esan established a business empire, purchasing two houses in Lagos, including the well-known Water House. Esan became a wealthy merchant, setting the stage for his son's future success.
Candido Da Rocha, born in Brazil, initially spoke only Portuguese and Ilesha upon his return to Nigeria. He attended CMS Grammar School, alongside notable Nigerians like Olayinka Herbert Samuel Heelas Badmus Macaulay, considered by many as the founder of Nigerian nationalism.
After Joao Esan Da Rocha's death on December 31, 1891, Candido, at the age of 25, took over his father's estates in 1893. He expanded the family business into a substantial empire, venturing into the water business and supplying water to Lagos in the 1920s. His house was the first in Lagos to have a borehole and a water fountain, earning him payments from colonial administrators for water supply.
Candido's first significant breakthrough came in 1894 when he bought gold bars from a British prospector for £6,000. Lacking the funds, he secured a loan from First Bank (then the Bank of West Africa) to purchase the gold, which he filed into gold dust and sold to goldsmiths, making a 200% profit.
In 1907, Candido partnered with J.H. Doherty and Sedu Williams to establish Lagos Native Bank, which provided healthy competition to other big banks until he was defrauded. He then established Lagos Finance Company, lending money to people.
Candido Da Rocha's granddaughter, Angelica Oyediran, described him as close to the British and western world, highly respected, and disciplined. He was known for his generosity and integrity, refusing to engage in politics despite his wealth and influence. During the Second World War, he offered his property, Bonanza Hotel, to the British government to protect Nigerian students at King's College.
Despite not officially marrying, Candido had three women who bore him children—a son named Alexander and four daughters. A significant dispute with Alexander in 1920 led to their estrangement, with Alexander moving to Ghana, explaining the presence of the Da Rocha family in Ghana today.
Candido Da Rocha passed away in 1959 and was buried at Ikoyi Cemetery. His legacy as a pioneering businessman and philanthropist in Lagos remains notable.
