Indigenes of Owerri Nchi Ise, weekend, petitioned their ancestors to intervene in the on-going battle to save Ekeukwu Owerri Market from being moved to Egbeada, Mbaitoli local government area of Imo State.
Owerri people have been at war with the state government over the latter’s plan to demolish the ancestral market.
Scores of Owerri indigenes marched peacefully to Amarachi Obinna Square inside the market, where they poured their minds to their ancestors.
Leading the prayer session, the Village Head of Umuoronjo, Chief Tos Oparaugo, recalled that their ancestors, in their own wisdom, established and sustained the market before handing it over to the present generation.
“Our beloved ancestors, you established and sustained Ekeukwu Owerri Market before handing it over to our present generation. It is our fervent supplication that you stand your ground against those planning to desecrate the market”, Oparaugo prayed.
Continuing, the Village Head recalled that “no relocation happened to Ikenegbu and Azuzi, let it not happen to us now.”
In his own contribution, the President General of Owerri Community Assembly, Chief Felix Ngoka, passionately appealed to their ancestors to resist the planned relocation.
“We do not want any crisis in Owerri. Relocating Ekeukwu Owerri Market has the potential of igniting the avoidable crisis”, Chief Ngoka said.
In her own prayer, the President General of Udo Diri Ndom Owerri, Mrs. Ifeoma Anokwu, reaffirmed their support for their husbands in the current fight to stop the relocation.
“The market should remain where it is presently located. We had severally told the state government to distance itself from the market and go elsewhere to establish another market of its choice and size,” Mrs. Anokwu said. – Vanguard.
