President – General, United Market Leaders and Traders Association of Nigeria, Ambassador Dr. Charles Friday Obih (Ugoabata). He was former President – General of Ladipo Auto Spare Parts and Exco member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State. He speaks on the group activities.
What is the objective of your group ?
In every month, we come together to discuss as a body. This is a body that address issues that matters most in Lagos markets and Nigeria at large. Our aims and objectives are to bring the traders together, so that we can have one voice as a people. Also to ensure that there is peace among the traders in the state. We are not politicians, but business people and our prayers is that God will continue to give us the wisdom to support every government in power so that Nigeria will be a better country.
How long has the association been in existence ?
By the grace of God the Market Leaders Association of Nigeria is registered with the Cooperate Affairs Commission Abuja and the association is Fourteen years old.
Considering the years of existence can you mention some of the benefits to members?
Well, we have done much as a group and there is a saying that, Rome was not build in a day. We have assisted our members in time of needs and time of trouble. Some that have health challenge has been supported by our group. We also support our members that lost their beloved ones. We look after each other well being.
We heard that the association bought plots of land for members, how true is it?
By the grace of God we have been working towards it and God has done it finally for us. We have gotten a plot of land at Abak pa Nike, Enugu state and at the end of August we will allocate the lands to our members. We want every member that came from the eastern region to have something for him or herself in the region. So, no matter how long you stays in the city, you will go home. When you go home, you have something to rely on. It is also a kind of expansion of our business activities to the eastern region.
As business oriented association, fund is important to run a successful group activities, do you have plans on how members can obtain loan from the financial institutions in Nigeria when the needs raise?
Presently, we are banking with the Fidelity Bank, and by grace of God we are trying to discuss with them so that they can assist our members who need financial support. Also we are talking with Federal Mortgage Bank to assist us in developing our estate known as Market Leaders Residential Estate.
Your are one of executive members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, how are you using your capacity towards it’s progress?
As I am talking to you, we have been putting our heads together with some Eze Ndigbo of high integrity and others on how to make peace on issue of leadership tussles in Lagos. There are many power tussle matters in Igbo Speaking Community and other groups, in Lagos. There is need we have a stockholder meeting where we have to come together and set up think thank committee that will liaise with various committees, parties involved. All we want for our people is peace and nothing is more important than peace among the people.