Chief (Dr.) Anthony Okeke, is the president of Mandilas International Centre, Trade Fair Complex and at the same time the general secretary of Ndigbo Amaka Progressive Marketers Association. In this chat with The Unique Model Magazine, he speaks about the readiness of the new executives to pursue, promote and protect the interests of the trading community under its coverage.
Excerpts:
Sir, can you introduce yourself to the media as one of personalities officiating the gathering of today?
I am Chief (Dr.) Anthony Okeke, president Mandilas International Centre, Trade Fair Complex and at the same time the general secretary of Ndigbo Amaka Progressive Marketers Association.
What are you doing today?
Today, we are having a press briefing about the state of the nation and to let the world know that we just had our general elections, we have our new executives that will pilot the affairs of association.
This association seems to be supporting a particular candidate for the deputy speakership for the House of Representatives, what informed it sir?
We are generally for the welfare of the traders, we are a pressure group and concerned with the welfare of the traders. And we understand that if the country is not at peace, it will definitely affect our business. We try to make the world know what is playing out now is good because we had a general election in the country, and those who felt aggrieved are doing that peacefully under the frame work of constitution. So, we are encouraging that because, otherwise it will affect our businesses, because if the coast is not clear, it will affect us. So, we are affirming the deputy speakership position that has been allotted to the South East and we are saying that the candidate the ruling party is positioning is acceptable to us and he is the right person for the job, which is Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
What is your take on the opposition party?
We are trying to say that on our part, we are trying to encourage it, so we can’t say what will happen tomorrow but we are saying that as it stands now, that we are at peace with the arrangement at the moment that is our stand.
What is your relationship with the Lagos State government and the people right now having known what happened during the elections?
If you listened to the press briefing by the president of this organisation, I know he mentioned that we are in good relationship with the Lagos State Government even before now, even right from the time of Fashola till now, we are in good working relationship with Lagos State Government.
Can we know the composition of the association?
The association is composed of major markets in Lagos; Alaba, Ladipo, Trade Fair, and others, and it’s predominately Igbo markets in Lagos State numbering about 58 markets, their leaders belongs to the association.