Ose Market Stakeholders pledge Support for Their Chairman’ s Performance
By Oge Onyeanusi, Onitsha
The Stakeholders at Okwodu Market in Onitsha, Anambra State have affirmed their confidence in and pledged their loyalty to their Caretaker Committee Chairman, Chief Ikechukwu Umeanozie.
They maintained that their market leader Chief Ikechukwu Umeanozie has exhibited committed and exemplary leadership in the market , since the assumption of office, stressing that he has sacrificed immensely to put the market and its traders together .
Stakeholders who made their stand known at the press briefly at Onitsha spoke in their various opinion for the progress of the market .
This came at the heels of calls by a section of Market leaders in the market few weeks ago, asking Governor Chukwuma Soludo to reinstate all the dissolved elected market whose tenure have not expired.
Some of the market they were referring include Ose Okwodu, Ogbaru Main market, Bridgehead market and Electronics Dealers Association, Onitsha, market.
Addressing , Chief Chief Fidelis Arazu, who was the chairman of Zone 4 of the Ose Okwodu market said that contrary to some mischief makers who are bent in clinging to the market leadership, there is no problem in Ose Okwodu Market.
He lamented that there are people who want to cause problem in the market by giving impression that there is crisis in Ose Okwodu.
According to him, ” Ose Okwodu is known for peace but some have been going about causing trouble. They will not succeed”.
Contrary to their plot, said Arazu, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Chief Ikechukwu Umeanozie, is best leader the market has had in recent time.
He also said the constitution of Zone Four stipulates four years tenure which Okechukwu Chukwuemeka had completed his tenure.
Chief John Uzonna, a patron of the market, said Chief Umeanozie is the best market leader they have seen so far, saying that he (Umeanozie) was given money to destabilize the Ose Okwodu drug market but he turned it down.
He equally lauded the Caretaker Committee Chairman, saying that the traders are happy with him in the way he has been piloting the affairs of the market.
Also speaking, former Vice -Chairman, Zone Four and Chairman of Ose Drug Market, Stanley Uche, said that the traders have no problem with the current Caretaker Committee led by Chief Umeanozie.
” Umeanozie is a good man. He is a God sent. We thank Governor Chukwuma Soludo for appointing him. For now, he is doing well” Uche said.
In his contribution, Chief Nsoke Matthew, chairman Medicine Dealers Association of the market said there is peace in their medicine market.
He alleged that some elements who want to hijack the market for their selfish interest were bent in taking over the market.
He said that they tried to compromise Umeanozie who refused, then they petitioned the umbrella market body who turned their petition down.
Since then, he said, they have been going about trying to create problem in the market.
Nsoke said the drug market is presently intact and solidly behind Umeanozie leadership contrary to what opposition would want people to believe.
Chukwunonso Odua, who claimed he is the chairman of Zone Four, said the tenure of the past executive has since expired but they refused to conduct an election.
Consequently, a Caretaker was imposed on the zone 4 and the place is now peaceful.
“For a long time prayers were not held in zone one, said Odua, but they recently held one, indicating the return of peace to the market.
Odua also said Chief Umeanozie has done well by chasing out thugs and other elements who harass, intimidate and extort ordinary traders in the market. Continue reading
