The President-General of Ogbaru Main Market, popularly known as Relief Market, located near Onitsha in Anambra State, Chief Ndubuisi Patrick Ochiogu, has once again demonstrated his spirit of benevolence by extending goodwill to the less privileged, indigent persons, and elderly men and women aged ninety years and above within the market community.
The gesture was not the first, second, or even third time Chief Ochiogu has celebrated Christmas with nonagenarians and distributed food items and cash to the poor and indigent members of the market.
Notably, he has sustained this tradition consistently over the years, even before assuming office as President-General of the market.
However, this year’s celebration was particularly unique and colourful, as three Catholic priests were delegated by the Parish Priest of St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, Okpoko, in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Monsignor Theophilus Odukwe, to represent him at the event.
As customary, the programme commenced with a Holy Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Ejiofor Innocent, concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Joshua Obiekezie, popularly known as Obere Nwa Jesus, and Rev. Fr. Desmond Ugonnabo.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Joshua Obiekezie emphasized that the most important aspect of Christmas celebration is the gift of life.
He urged the congregation to thank God for being alive in the land of the living, particularly appreciating the traders of Ogbaru Main Market and their leadership for witnessing another Christmas season.
Rev. Fr. Joshua, who serves at St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, Okpoko, recalled that many individuals who celebrated Christmas the previous year were no longer alive to witness the current celebration.
He commended Chief Ochiogu for remembering the elderly and the poor during the Christmas festivities, describing the gesture as exemplary and Christ-like.
In his address, the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Ejiofor Innocent, appealed to Chief Ochiogu to consider extending the gesture to elderly persons who have attained the age of seventy years. According to him, seventy years is the biblical benchmark of human lifespan, while any additional years are purely by God’s mercy.
While appreciating the priests, guests, and traders present at the event, Chief Ochiogu lamented what he described as the marginalization of the Igbo people. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism, stating that the South-East region remains the “Rising Sun” of Nigeria. He further stressed that Igbos value relationships and communal living more than any other ethnic group in the country.
He attributed his benevolence to the affection and compassion he has for humanity, particularly the elderly, noting that helping people has always been part of his nature. He also stated that the market was in disarray before his emergence as President-General.
“As the leader of this market, I constantly reflect on meaningful initiatives that will positively impact traders. Immediately I assumed office, I cleared an accumulated electricity debt of Eleven Million Naira owed to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) by previous administrations. I attracted solar-powered streetlights, curbed burglary, restored adequate security, revived the borehole water system, and upgraded the height and layout of market shops and lines. I can confidently say that I have achieved a great deal in this market,” Chief Ochiogu stated.
Chief Ochiogu also used the occasion to pray for those who benefitted from the food items and cash gifts, expressing hope that by the next Christmas celebration, they would have improved their livelihoods and be in a position to support others.
Food items distributed at the event included bags of rice, cartons of Indomie noodles, crates of malt and soft drinks, cartons of Cabin biscuits, tissue paper, various brands of Omo detergent, vegetable oil, milk, candy, and a cash gift of ₦40,000 each, among other items
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