Anti market activities : Anambra govt sacks Onitsha Main market zonal executives

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha 

For allegedly being involved in anti market activities, the three zonal executives of the popular Onitsha Main market, Anambra State, have been sacked by the State government and new executives appointed to assist the central chairman of the market, Innocent Ezeoha, in piloting the affairs of the market.

The sack, which was carried out by the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Trade and Markets, Evaristus Uba, was gathered because it was necessary after several pleas to the sacked executives to turn a new leaf fell on deaf ears.

Inaugurating the three zonal executives that compromise of 27 new members at the Market secretariat, by the President  General, PG, Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, Humphrey Anuna, (a.k.a.Ajirija), the central chairman, Ezeoha charged them to protect the image of the state government and traders even as he vowed to maintain the market structure.

Ezeoha reminded them that the market is one of the markets the governor wants to harmonize for the betterment of the state and urged the new executives to protect the interest of the traders, lamenting that most of the sacked executives ignored their duties and indulged in selfish interest and enrichment.

 The anti market activities according to Ezeoha, were caused by the former three zonal chairmen and it affected the whole of their executives which resulted in government resolve to dissolve their leadership.

Ezeoha said, “I have been telling them this, no more share the money, no more embezzlement of government funds, that has been my statement to them and that was how I’m leading the market all these three years, the former executives were caught with many atrocities and the new executives take effect today 14th May.

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“Main Market has structure and it is that structure that we use to run the affairs of the market just as Nigeria runs with the Federal, State and Local governments. That is where Main market got the idea to run her own affairs with the line, zonal and central executives, the changes today are only on zonal level, zones 1, 2 and 3,” he disclosed.

He enjoined them to be selfless in Serving the market reminding them that, “To whom much is given, much is expected, think of what you would do for the traders. Before I assumed office,there was no fan, no public address system, but today we are here enjoying all these things. Our free database which is under construction was because we cried to the government due to lack of network in the market and it came to our help.

“We came first in 2022 Internally Generated Revenue, IGR which made other markets to emulate us and resulted in Ochanja Market over taking us in 2023, in 2024, no market achieve the landmark made by main market, we generated #325million plus, heading to #330million,”, he disclosed.

The Chairman while praying for the new executives asked for the seven gifts of Solomon on them which he said included, wisdom, understanding, idea, power, knowledge, conscience and fear of God 

Addressing the new executives, Anuna also charged them to protect the government image and interest saying it is the reason they are chosen after dissolving the former executives for the atrocities some of them committed.

 “I thank the government for assisting us to restructure the structure of the main market. Leadership is not easy but it is the easiest thing one can do and have.

“One thing that spoils leadership is selfish interest, it is as you make your bed, so you will lie on it, to achieve what is  needed of you, you must remove selfish interest. If you see something, say something for things to normalize.

“I am always being careful and concerned about whatever that is happening at the main market because it is the largest market and a lot of countries have interest here, likewise billions of people and it is the first market that pays revenue on time”,Anuna revealed.

The newly Inaugurated Chairmen after their inauguration took their turn in speaking to newsmen starting from the chairman of zone 3, Obinna Okeke Nduakor, who expressed satisfaction to be chosen among the few to work for the government and the market, and pledged better welfare to the market.

Obidike Chizoba Joseph, Chairman of zone 1 and Okwudili Eke, zone 2 chairman noted that everyone eyes the new seat and described their appointment as call to duty even as they pledged to emulate the footsteps of  governor Soludo in reforming the market for peace and harmony.

 Otie Chioma, former Assistant Secretary in her remark after the inauguration advised the newly Inaugurated executives to express their feelings irrespective of whose ox is gored adding, “You would wear a crown of honour if you come out as a good leader even if dissolved.  I pray that the new leadership would bring more development, light and customers in the market,,” she prayed.