By Uzo Ugwunze
It was jubilation galore among
traders at Nkpor Auto New Parts market, Idemili North Local Government Area,
Anambra State, on Thursday morning during the prayer session as they danced and
gave thanks to God for the return of the prayer session after about seven
months of its suspension due to the sit-at-home exercise.
Paying glowing tribute to
Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, his aide on Trade and Markets, Hon. Evarist
Uba, and the President General (PG) of Anambra State Amalgamated Traders
Association (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anuna, the Chairman of the market, Chief
Elysius Umeozorkwere, announced the reinstatement of the prayer session.
"We were in a meeting at
the ASMATA headquarters last week when the ASMATA PG, Chief Humphrey Anuna,
informed us that the regular prayer session has resumed. We are delighted with
the governor; he recognizes the significance of prayer and encouraged us to
continue our prayer sessions.
"We usually hold our
prayer session on Thursdays, and the State Government, in an effort to ensure
that markets open on Mondays and counter the Monday Sit-at-home order, directed
that market prayers be held on Mondays. However, this directive did not receive
a 100 percent turnout of traders due to uncertainty and fear.
"As a result, from June
last year, there was no prayer session in our market until today (Thursday). We
are grateful that our musical instruments, parked since then, are still in good
condition. When I called the head of the prayer group, Evangelist Luke Obadiah,
he could not believe it in his excitement that the Governor had announced the
continuation of the prayer session.
"With God, everything is
possible; it may take time, and that is why we thank our able Governor Soludo
for the peace he restored in all markets through his Special Adviser on Trade
and Markets, Hon. Evarist Uba, and ASMATA President General, Chief Humphrey
Anuna."
During the prayer session,
Evangelist Obadiah remarked in his homily that since June last year, the market
prayer group did not perform due to the sit-at-home order, as traders, out of
fear of uncertainty, did not turn up on Mondays. He added that with divine
intervention, the group has come back in full force.
"This 2024 will be a year
of progress for all traders in this market. Enemies of progress will not see
us; evil people will not see us. It is a special year for the better welfare of
all traders in this market. God has made it known to us through the Governor,
who has encouraged us to continue our prayers to ward off evils in the market.
Only good things will come our way starting from this year," he prayed.
Post a Comment