By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Honourable Ifunanya Nwanegwo (eighth from left, in golden yellow
kaftan) receives a warm welcome from the Association of Mbaitoli Market
Executive during their courtesy visit on Thursday.
Receiving the executive, the Sole Administrator,
Honourable Nwanegwo expressed his gratitude to them for the visit.
He emphasised his deep connection to the community,
stating, ‘I grew up here. I am born and brought up here. We cannot be
intimidated because we are part and parcel of the state. No one is praying for
trouble but if trouble should come, we will face it squarely.’
Honourable Nwanegwo assured the attendees that his focus
would be on serving the people of Mbaitoli. ‘I was appointed not to enrich
myself but to work for the betterment of the people of Mbaitoli. We are going
to work. We are working in one place. All of us are one. I have welcomed you
all. Thank you all for coming. I want to look well into the market. I want you
to know that the institution that owns the market is the local government. We
must put something into place so that everything runs smoothly for the
betterment of all,’ he stated.
Barrister Kingsley Uwakwe, the Director of Administrative
Services for the local government, also spoke, expressing his gratitude for
Honourable Nwanegwo’s appointment. ‘The market belongs to the local government
council. Government is continuous. We believe that the state is there. What the
local government can do, they can do. We will have a new blueprint on how to
work, and hopefully, we would work for the betterment of the local government,’
Uwakwe said.
Comrade Nwaiwu Chinoso, Chairman of Nwaorieubi City
Market, highlighted the significance of the visit. He expressed the
association’s willingness to work with the new chairman and outlined the
reasons for the courtesy call. ‘There is no way the market will exist without
the local government chairman. We pledge to submit everything to him. He who
pays the piper calls the tune. The second reason is for familiarity, so we know
each other better. The third reason is to address the challenges we face,
especially regarding security. People from outside try to influence decisions
for us. As a young man, we really want to work with you. Our visit is to pledge
our total support to your government. We thank you and congratulate you.’
Honourable Unamma Cyril Igwe, Chairman of Orie Ogbaku
Market, reiterated the need for partnership and cooperation. ‘We are here for formalisation.
We need your support. There are things happening in the market. Thank God
you’re around as our young and capable SOLAD. We are hopeful that things will
change. We promise not to let you down,’ Igwe concluded.
The visit marks the beginning of what is expected to be a
fruitful collaboration between the Mbaitoli Local Government Council and the
market executives, aimed at improving the market and addressing its challenges
for the benefit of all stakeholders.
