…As Builder, General Ochei’s Wife Empowers 89 Traders
By Patrick Ochei
The cerebral NNEOHA and Omu Anioma, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu has unveiled the reconstructed Onicha-Olona Market in Aniocha North LGA, which was rebuilt and donated by the wife of Maj. Gen. Raymond Ochei to the community through Aniocha North Council.
The Omu who was given a royal welcome into Onicha-Olona as Special Guest of Honour, was ushered into the market where she performed necessary rites and prayers before unveiling the plaque, signalling the traditional commencement of market activities by traders and buyers.
Omu Dunkwu in her speech, commended the beautiful wife of Maj. Gen. Raymond Ochei, whose NGO – Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation took over the reconstruction of the market, completed it for the use of Onicha-Olona community and handed it over to the Local Government.
Omu Anioma posited that it is difficult to find the type of Mrs. Ochei in this contemporary environment and era, who after rebuilding and handing over a market free of charge back to the Council, also empowered 89 market women who are currently trading in the market with #50,000 each in order to enhance their trading activities.
While making a presentation of the Traditional Akwa Ocha to her as a mark of encouragement and appreciation, the Queen Mother admonished Anioma daughters at home and abroad with the wherewithal, to emulate the virtues and generosity of Mrs. Ochei.
The Omu equally commended General Raymond Ochei, husband of the market builder for his philanthropy, maintaining that his rare and uncommon generosity to the people of Onicha-Olona in particular, and Anioma people in general is worthy of mention.
As the Mother General of Anioma Nation, Obi Martha Dunkwu went further to thank and pray for the Nigerian Armed Forces for the good work they are doing with regards to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity, thereby urging them to continue in that patriotic assignment of keeping the nation safe, secure and peaceful.
As a mark of respect to her person and the remarkable impacts she has made to nation-building, Maj. Gen. Ochei presented varying gifts to Omu Dunkwu and her entourage.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government, Hon. Kelvin Okwechime, who was represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Kennedy Okoh had commended the exemplary patriotism of Dr. (Mrs.) Doris Amaka Ochei and her Foundation, especially on the market project.
According to the chairman, “It is in this regard that we salute the vision and commitment of the Dr. (Mrs) Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation with the rehabilitation/expansion of this modern market which by design would inspire a wide range of income generating and livelihood enhancing activities.
“Permit me therefore to assert here with every sense of responsibility, that with your resounding successful execution of this project, you have demonstrated your love for our people and created another window for improved economic activities towards wealth creation and poverty reduction. And may God reward your modest effort to impact on humanity”, the Chairman stated before going ahead to commission the project.
Meanwhile, the prayers and eulogies of Omu Anioma while unveiling the plaque, encouraged the benefactor and founder of the Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation to further empower the 89 women already trading in the market with #50,000 each, to enable them move into the market properly and commence daily trading.
In support of the Dr. Amaka Ochei’s gesture, another illustrious son of Onicha-Olona, paid the mandatory #1000 processing fee to Aniocha North Council for each of the 89 traders, to enable them officially formalise their legitimacy in the market.
It was a grand ceremony as high profile personalities, including the Traditional Ruler of Onicha-Olona, HRM Obi Diji, the Olikeze of Onicha-Olona and former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Victor Ochei, the President General of Onicha-Olona Development Union, Mr. Patrick Ejido, the Ozoma of Onicha-Olona, Chief Austine Elumelu were among a host of others that graced the event.
