Traders Honour ASMATA PG Over Sit-at-Home Abolition

By Polycarp Ifeanyi

The President-General of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anuna, has received an outstanding award for his numerous achievements from traders in Anambra State.

Other distinguished traders who received awards alongside Anuna include the Patron of ASMATA, Chief Jude Nwankwo (Ochendo Umuawulu), Chief Nwabueze Umeh, Chief Jude Agumadu, Chief Bonfrancise Nzekwesili, Chief Moses Umeh, among others.

The event took place at Neo Gold Hotel, located along Umuoji Road, Nkpor, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. It was organized by traders to appreciate God for the successful abolition of the Monday sit-at-home order by the Anambra State Government.

Speaking shortly before the presentation of the awards, the Permanent Secretary of the Anambra State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Engineer Michael Obiekwe, described Anuna as a talented leader whom God has used to restore peace and order in markets across the state.

Engineer Obiekwe, who presented the awards to Anuna and other prominent traders, observed that Chief Anuna has played a significant role in uniting traders with the Anambra State Government.

He further expressed immense gratitude to Anambra State traders for their unwavering support for Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration, urging them to remain united and focused on their various businesses in order to build a better Anambra.

Expressing his gratitude to the traders, Chief Humphrey Anuna, popularly known as “Onwa,” noted that he was delighted by the honour bestowed on him.

He explained that he could not vividly recall any particular action he had taken that warranted the award, stating that he was not the only person to have served as ASMATA President-General.

“Anyway, what I have done for the traders is that I slaughtered one cow for them, and then another two, making it three cows. Although, even if you slaughter just one cow, you are already considered a cow slaughterer—literally meaning ‘Ogbu Efi’ in the Igbo dialect. So, traders would be in a position to recount other things I have done for them,” said Chief Anuna.

In his speech, the Chairman of New Auto Spare Parts, Nkpor, Chief Offolee Stephen Obiora (Award), lauded the Anambra State Government for abolishing the Monday sit-at-home.

He stated that the Monday sit-at-home had done more harm than good to traders, noting that although people initially thought it would be impossible to abolish, Governor Soludo summoned the courage to end it.

Similarly, the Chairman of Onye Ayananwanneya Abattoir, Umunya, Chief Chinedu Ubah, extolled Chief Anuna for the role he played in the abolition of the Monday sit-at-home.

He also felicitated him on the award he received, stating that he deserved it and urging him not to relent in the good work he is doing for the betterment of traders.

Among the ASMATA women’s wing members who hailed the liberation from the Monday sit-at-home during the thanksgiving were Mrs Ezedobego Onyinyechukwu Blessing and the Deputy President-General of ASMATA Women, Chief Mrs Ifeoma Anene.