… As Jubilating Traders Hail Commissioner
By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
Following months of leadership crises that rocked Imo International Cluster Market, Naze in Owerri North LGA of Imo State, peace has finally returned to the market with the intervention of the Imo State Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Hon Dr. Chika Abazu, in resolving the dispute involving Mr. Uchenna Anaege-led Executives of the market and the faction led by Mr. Uju Nwogu on Friday. The parley with the commissioner as gathered had the both parties present.
This was as traders at the market upon hearing news of the development, went into wide jubilations, dancing and commending Hon Dr. Abazu for his fatherly intervention and demonstration of examplary leadership and wisdom in bringing the protracted dispute which they noted had cost the market a lot in terms of peace and resources to an end. They also chanted songs of support and solidarity to Mr. Anaege.
Speaking to this reporter whose visit to the market coincided with the development, a source who was part of the meeting between Hon Abazu and traders at the Imo State Secretariat, narrated how the Commissioner, after listening from both parties, stressed the need for the restoration of peace and progress in the market for the benefits of the state government and traders.
According to him, Hon. Dr. Abazu, who affirmed the chairmanship of Mr. Uchenna Anaege (Oil Money) as recognized by government, urged all traders in the market to support him to succeed in steering the affairs of the market. The Commissioner, also enjoined Mr. Anaege as a leader to embrace all the traders in the market irrespective of what transpired in the past, while charging all to make conscious efforts at ensuring peace in the market, including the withdrawal of petitions at the police.
Meanwhile, some of the traders reacted. One of them, Mr. Njoku Ugochukwu, the Secretary of the Market, who was full of gratitude to Hon. Abazu, averred that the outcome of the meeting with the commissioner was good for the market to achieve peace, stability and progress. Mr. Njoku also expressed joy for the affirmation of Mr. Anaege’s chairmanship, describing that as conforming with the wishes of majority of traders in the market.
Mr. Njoku, disclosed that Mr. Anaege came onboard in 2022 after previous leadership challenges to transform the market because of his good leadership qualities that endeared him to the traders. He noted that the market was in shambles with insecurity, flooding, heaps of refuse dumbs, lack of toilet facilities and market office, but said that within a short time in office, Mr. Anaege solved all the problems, in addition to organizing monthly prayers and sanitation exercise and procuring of power generating set that provides light to the market.
The Women Leader, Mrs. Patience Ojinji, also said the development brought great joy to the market women who had been desirous of seeing peace and stability restored in the market. While thanking Hon Dr. Abazu for coming to their aid as well as his wisdom in resolving the problem, Mrs. Ojinji, expressed joy over the affirmation of Mr. Anaege’s leadership which she noted has transformed the market, hence the love and and support he enjoys in the market.
On his own, the Chairman, Livestock Unit, Mr. Anayo Obimba, said that the intervention of the commissioner was greatly appreciated by the traders in the market, as he reaffirmed their total and unwavering support to Mr. Anaege’s leadership because he has impacted the market and traders positively. While Chief Leo Ajoku, one of the elders in the market, hailed the outcome of the meeting with Hon. Abazu, and urged the traders to embrace peace and support the chairman succeed.
Also speaking, Chief Eze Amako who expressed delight for the resolution of the impasse, disclosed that since they moved into the market seven years ago following the demolition of Eke-Ukwu Market, no previous leadership of the market performed like what Mr. Anaege is achieving. He pointed out that the chairman had carried out numerous projects that are commendable like the grading of the market, provision of decent toilets, the procurement of power generating set, establishment of security outfit and dispute resolution mechanism, calling him a good man that deserves their support.
