DAO Foundation Commissioned Onicha-Olona Ultra Modern Market

By reopening the market at Onicha-Olona, which Callistus Nwawolo’s Aniocha North Local Government administration had established 20 years earlier but abandoned due to the absence of a decent access road, the Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation (DAO Foundation) Monday achieved a significant milestone.

The market was renovated, expanded, and given the go-ahead by the current Local Government Chairman, Hon. Kevin Okwechime, thanks to the generosity and generosity of the DAO Foundation, whose founder and president is Dr. (Mrs.) Doris Amaka Ochei, the wife of Major General Raymond Ochei.

The Secretary of the Local Government, Hon. Kennedy Okoh, attended the occasion on behalf of Okwechime.

A number of notable people attended the celebration that enlivened the sleepy town of Onicha Olona, including the Obi of Onicha-Olona, His Royal Majesty Obi Uzu Diji, former speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and executive director of NIMASA, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, Major General Ochei, the Omu Anioma, Obi Martha Dunkwu, and numerous clergy members.

While thanking God for the grace and the guests for attending the commissioning and unveiling of the market plaque, Dr. Doris Amaka Ochei, president of the DAO Foundation, said: “Today for me is a dream come true because the day that we came to commission this road, I looked at the market and I felt that it was a huge waste leaving the market lying like this. And I made the decision that something needed to be done to encourage women to start trading here.

She stated that raising the standard of living for men, women, and children is a priority for the Dr. Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation (DAO Foundation), which is engaged in community development.

She said that this is due to the special character of women and the enormous responsibilities that training and raising children, caring for their spouses, maintaining the home, and making themselves look good as wives to their husbands place on them.

Dr (Mrs) Ochei said: “That is why DAO Foundation is interested in women. So we looked at it and said if were empower women so they can become financially capable. When I say financially capable, I don’t mean being independence because you can’t be independent from your husband, no matter how rich you are. But capable to be able to take care of some things; take care of yourself without stressing the man all the time.”

She advised the ladies to realize how crucial it is for them to use their brains in order to be financially able to take things slowly and assist relieve strain on husbands.

She emphasized that because they are women, they must be financially sufficient.

“This is why we said putting this market into operation will enable women to take advantage of it to support their families. That’s why we took interest in bringing up this market,” she said.

The women were then urged by Dr. (Mrs.) Ochei to start stocking the market’s stalls with their goods right away.

She urged them to start running the market every day going forward: “Operating daily market is important. With daily market people will no longer go to Issele-Uku to buy things. It is based on this that we said that the 87 market women who are already established as traders in this market, DAO Foundation will support you with N50,000 each . This will stand as take off grant for you.”

She continued: “I encourage you to move into this market immediately. Understand that once this becomes a regular market in Onicha-Olona, it will attract other commercial activities; attract people including those who operate garri business. When they begin to come, they need rented accommodation and so on and so forth.

“That’s why I am asking and pleading with you to move into this market facility immediately to commence trading activities,” the Dao Foundation president said.

She gave a warm welcome to the members of the Omu institution and acknowledged that the market was their domain and responsibility.

The Chairman of the Aniocha North Local Government, Hon. Kevin Okwechime, who was speaking on behalf of the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Kennedy Okoh, praised the residents of Onicha-Olona for the momentous occasion that will be remembered for deepening the idea of private-public partnership and self-help in community development. He also praised the Dr. (Mrs.) Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation for its vision and dedication to the cause.

“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,” According to Hon. Okwechime, the town of Onicha-Olona is strategically situated to serve as a center for nearby communities’ markets and commerce.

The Council Chairman urged the populace to quickly purchase stalls in the market to increase their individual trade while pointing out that the modern market calls to all market people within the local government area and beyond.

He said: “It is worthy at this juncture to state that it’s consistent with regular practice and pursuant to Section 7, 4th Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which confers maintenance and management of markets to local government, the Aniocha North Local Government in liaison with the Onicha-Olona Development Union has duly initiated the process of allocation of open stalls in the market through open balloting system. We urge all concerned to urgently pick up the interest expression form either from the Office of the President General of the town’s development union or office of the Secretary to the Local Government at Issele-Uku. Moreover, the Local Government is not unaware of the identified need and upgrade to daily market in the near future.”

The Onicha-Olona Development Union has had a positive impact on the Council’s territory over the years through self-help, as seen by the avant-garde concepts and unwavering patriotism that the current President General is applying to volunteer work. “His modest effort is inspiring and requires encouragement,” Hon. Okwechime said.

In his welcome speech, Sir Patrick Ejidoh, President General of the Onicha-Olona Development Union, conveyed the community’s thanks to Major General Raymond and his wife, Doris, for their kind act. Dr. Mrs. Doris Amaka Ochei was singled out specifically for her interest in the growth of the community. “She completed and tarred the road and went ahead to proclaim that the market’s rehabilitation would be completed by Easter,’ Sir Ejidoh said.

The PG recalled that the market was constructed in 2003, twenty years ago, when Mr. Callistus Nwawolor was the head of the local government. “When the market was completed, the road was dilapidated and it discouraged traders from coming because it was a difficult terrain and people could not access the market. The people resorted to trading at the centre of the road with its attendant risk and danger.”

Ejidoh further stated that the contractors did a fantastic job, noting that the amenities and the market’s water system are operational. He added that even though these fundamental amenities were operational, Uhuru had not yet been reached because there was still much work to be done. Despite this, he declared that trading operations will start in the market as of today, April 11, 2023. The trader will no longer be seen trading alongside the road, he continued.

Ejidoh also stated that there are 460 stalls in the market and that the previous allocations have been revoked because they were unfair. To the cheers of the audience, who rose to dance in response to the good news, he added that Mr. Nelson Nwachi, a kindhearted man, had donated N1,000 for each form needed by all 87 market women.

In order to award stalls to those who have not yet received them, Ejidoh stated that a ballot would be used. Each form has a N1,000 non-refundable fee that must be returned within three days. As a result, starting on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, the Onicha-Olona market will be available to anyone.

The event’s high point was when Hon. Kennedy Okoh, the Council Secretary, cut the ribbon to officially open the market on behalf of Aniocha North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Kevin Okwechime. The plaque was then unveiled by Omu Anioma, Obi Martha Dunkwu, with help from Dr. (Mrs.) Ochei, her husband, Major General Ochei, and the PG, Mr. Ejidoh.

In addition to other customary rituals, Omo Anioma, Obi Dunkwu danced and prayed for the success of the market as they received applause from the audience.