The 13 elders in group photo with Uba, Council chairman, Ochiogu, others and some of the gift items
By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
The President General, PG, Ogbaru Main (Relief) market, Anambra State, Chief Ndubisi Ochiogu, has disclosed that his celebration of 13 active traders of the market who have attained 90 years and above was a divine intervention that must be done.
Explaining further during the celebration which was done shortly after the market prayer session and witnessed by Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Trade and Markets, Hon. Evarist Uba, Ogbaru Local Government area chairman, Hon. Kenneth Akwobi, ASMATA PG, Chief Humphrey Anuna, among others, Ochiogu said it was one of the activities lined up for him to do by God.
Ochiogu traced the history of the celebration to when a trader suggested to him that such elders needed to be celebrated and he adhered to what the trader said and executed it.
"A trader came to me and chipped in an idea that one of his line members is 90 years and that such an elder is needed to be celebrated. So I affirmed to the idea and we decided to look for more of them so that it will not be only one person, and that is what we did today.
Some of the 13 elders
"It is the first time of doing such in all the markets in Anambra State, we will continue to do it, it will be every five years by the grace of God if i remain on the seat, the successor after my leadership can continue if he emulates me," he stated.
Those 13 active elders of the market who are 90 years and above being celebrated were presented with gifts that included, awards, certificates, cash, bags of rice, wrappers, provisions and toiletries.
The market chairman, Ochiogu named his achievements to include, installation of solar lights, bore holes, shop burglary proof, off setting of electricity debt of #11million plus (accumulated EEDC bill) and others too numerous to mention.
He commended Governor Soludo for his good governance of the state and urged voters to endeavour to exercise their franchise by voting for APGA on 8 November gubernatorial election.
Ochiogu also lauded the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Market, Chief Evaristus Uba, PG, ASMATA for restoring peace in the markets through out the state.
Speaking, Uba urged the traders to live Christ like life in order to achieve heaven and attain longevity like those being celebrated.
On the coming gubernatorial election he urged the electorate to come out en masse and vote for APGA reminding them that it has less than 22 days to come by.
According to him the governor has set #10M naira for any ward that gets highest number of votes pointing out that it is a collective effort to all voters.
He revealed that a fun city will be constructed in Okpoko in the next tenure of Governor Soludo for relaxation of the residents of Okpoko and others.
Chief Anuna, ASMATA PG, in his speech commended the Chairman, Ochiogu, stating that his achievements and honour accorded to the elders called for emulation by all who want good things.
In his speech, Ogbaru Local Government Area, boss, Hon, Sir Kenneth Akwobi stated that he is overwhelmed for celebrating the nonagenarians, recalling the death of his father who according to him died two months ago at the age of 92.
The council Major praised God and commended the market executives, elders, Ochiogu and prayed God also for longevity to himself.
Ogbaru Local Government Area, APGA secretary, Hon. Osigwe Chimezie, in his remarks commended Chief Ochiogu who he described as a very powerful financier in APGA, Ogbaru Local Government and a critical stakeholder, adding that it was the reason he came to identify with him at the event
Highlight on the occasion was cutting of the anniversary cake by the 13 celebrated nonagenarians, supported by the Mayor of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Akwobi, Uba, Anuna Ochiogu, and others.
