Hon. Onyekachukwu Igwe, is the Executive Chairman, Akinwumi Traders Association, Ladipo market, Lagos. In this interview with the Unique Model Magazine, he speaks about his programmes and expectations from his people. He also appeals to the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to always carry them along in taking decisions that will affect them so as to ensure a peaceful business environment.
Excerpts:
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Hon. Onyekachukwu Igwe, the executive chairman, Akinwumi Traders Association, Ladipo market, Lagos.
How did you emerge the chairman of this association, and what is the duration of your tenure?
I emerged through an electoral process, I was elected as the chairman of Akinwunmi Traders Association, and as our constitution stipulates, my administration will last for three years. I contested before, I didn’t win, this time around God said, I am going to be the chairman, so I become the chairman. I have a constituted excos with whom we run the affairs of the organization
How will you describe Eze C.C. Nwokedi who officiated on your installation being a former chairman of Ladipo market himself?
Eze Nwokedi is one of the persons that I am looking up to. When I came to this market, he was the chairman then. Two of us became friends, and our relationship has been good, it’s about 23-24years relationship so I can say he’s a good person.
Has he supported you in any way before?
Like I said earlier, since we knew each other, we have not lost contact and he has been supporting me in many ways, whenever I call upon him, he will always answer me. He is somebody that always tries to help people; it is very rare to get people like him. Our people say that, Igbos are not helping one another, but Eze Nwokedi is an exception. He is somebody that hears the cry of the downtrodden and he will fight for them. So that is the kind of person he is.
What is your relationship with President General of Ladipo that leads all the section of the market?
Hon. Jude Chikere Nwankwo is my boss, I am his Chief of Staff by the special grace of God. He is a person that I have worked with for many years, we started this journey when he was a treasurer that was in 2012 to 2015, he later became the vice, we were very close, then he won another election in 2018, and he appointed me as his chief of staff. So we have been working up to this stage.
Can you highlight some of his qualities?
He is an exceptional man and in the generation of people, before you can get his type of person, it will take another 100 years, he is a man with a large heart and he always fights for people that are being intimidated.
Before he came to leadership, there was security challenge in Ladipo market, and he came and curbed it, now there is a peaceful environment, people go about their businesses without molestation.
When will his tenure end?
His tenure is about to end, and people are looking for who will surpass or maintain what he has achieved. So, people are still worried about his handing over.
Now the governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo – Olu, maintained his position after the election for second tenure, what assistance do you need from him?
I can say that he still follows the footsteps of the former governor of Lagos state, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, and that whatever he wants to do, he should always discuss and dialogue with us, at least, what we need from him is peaceful environment, an enabling environment that will enable our business to thrive that is what we need from him. If there is any where we are not doing it right, governor Sanwo-Olu should call us for a roundtable meeting and discuss with us and we will amend.
What legacy will you like to leave behind within the three years of your tenure?
I am just about three weeks old in office; I have mapped out a lot of things I want to achieve, like when I came in, there was a lot of traffic, today vehicles move freely.
Security of lives and properties is also a priority and any form of intimidation in the market will not be tolerated again. My people know my worth and that’s why they voted me as their chairman.