NEWLY APPOINTED ASMATA EXECUTIVE INAUGURATED IN UMUAHIA, PLEDGES TOTAL COMMITMENT TO OTTI’S RE-ELECTION

 

NEWLY REAPPOINTED ASMATA EXECUTIVE INAUGURATED IN UMUAHIA, PLEDGES TOTAL COMMITMENT TO OTTI’S RE-ELECTION

The newly reconstituted executive of the Abia State Amalgamated Market Traders Association (ASMATA) has been formally inaugurated, with a renewed commitment to strengthening market administration, enhancing traders’ welfare, supporting the development agenda of the Abia State Government and total commitment to Governor Alex Otti’s re-election in 2027.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday, March 26, 2027, at the Boardroom of the Ministry of Trade and Commerce in Umuahia.

It was anchored by the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Nnaji Marlene, while the Legal Counsel of the Ministry, Barr. Chioma Ogechukwu Onyekwere, administered the oath of office.

In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Cyril Nwaigwe, congratulated the executive and urged them to work collaboratively to advance the state’s economic goals.

He commended the Governor for his quality leadership and called for collective support toward his re-election.

Inaugurating the executive, the Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Mrs. Salome Obiukwu, congratulated the team, describing their reappointment as a testament to their leadership and alignment with the “New Abia” vision.

She expressed confidence that they would deliver greater achievements in their new tenure and urged the executive to continue to lead with unity, foresight, and purpose.

She also emphasized the importance of sensitizing traders on tax compliance and revenue generation, urging them to ensure that the traders pay their taxes and necessary levies.

Dr. Obiukwu charged the team to remain focused and committed, particularly towards the re-election of Governor Alex Otti in 2027, describing it as a critical task requiring unity and dedication.

Delivering his acceptance speech on behalf of the executive, the President General of ASMATA, Hon. Chief Alphonsus E. Udeigbo, expressed profound gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve again, describing their reappointment as both an honour and a call to higher responsibility.

He thanked the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR), for the confidence reposed in them, assuring that the executive would justify the trust by delivering beyond expectations.

He noted that the Governor’s sustained commitment to commerce and market development in the state has been instrumental in ASMATA’s achievements.

Chief Udeigbo also appreciated market leaders and past executives of ASMATA for their unwavering support, stating that the reappointment was a collective achievement rooted in shared vision and cooperation.

Outlining his administration’s priorities, he pledged to promote transparency, accountability, and discipline across markets, improve traders’ welfare, and champion initiatives aimed at modernizing and digitizing market operations.

He emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between ASMATA and the government to ensure peace, unity, and orderliness in markets across the state.

He called on traders and market leaders to remain law-abiding, united, and focused on the collective progress of the association and the state, while pledging to lead with integrity, fairness, and inclusiveness.

On the political front, Chief Udeigbo stressed the need for traders to reciprocate the goodwill of the state government by securing their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and registering as members of the Labour Party, declaring that there would be “no vacancy in Government House, Umuahia, in 2027.”

He further pledged to protect traders from undue harassment and intimidation by law enforcement agencies, appealing to the Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Mrs. Salome Obiukwu, to ensure that security agencies liaise with ASMATA before carrying out enforcement operations in markets.

He also called for the involvement of ASMATA in monitoring the activities of revenue agents, noting that the state lost significant revenue in 2025 due to non-compliance with the government’s directive on direct payments.

He revealed that despite these challenges, the association spent millions of naira between April 16, 2024, and March 25, 2026, for the progress of the state without imposing levies on traders or receiving government grants, as members of the leadership personally funded activities.

Chief Udeigbo further highlighted the association’s accommodation challenges, explaining that the rent for its former office, initially covered for two months by the Ministry, expired in June 2024, forcing relocation. He appealed to the government for intervention.

He also requested logistical support, including vehicles, to aid mobilization efforts ahead of the 2027 elections and urged the Commissioner to facilitate a solidarity visit by traders and churches to the Governor.

The ASMATA President General extended appreciation to the Honourable Commissioner for her outstanding leadership and colossal sacrifices leading to peace and progress in Abia markets.

He also commended the PVC and Labour Party Membership e-Registration Monitoring Committee, led by Elder Dr. Uchechukwu Anyanwu, for its enormous progress within a short time.

In separate remarks, the Director of Commerce, Mrs. Uchenna Precious Añumadu, advised the executive to uphold the rule of law and seek guidance from the Ministry when necessary.

Also speaking, Elder Dr. Uchechukwu Anyanwu, Treasurer of ASMATA and Chief Executive Officer of UNAC Ventures (Nig.) Ltd, expressed appreciation to the Governor and the Commissioner for the reappointment and called for collective efforts to ensure Governor Alex Otti’s electoral victory in 2027.

Chief Uzosike Uzoukwu reaffirmed the executive’s commitment to delivering on their mandate, while the ASMATA Woman Leader, Hon. Chief Mrs. Ezinne Nkechi Ezim, assured of the unwavering support of women traders toward the association and the government.

In a vote of thanks, the Vice President of ASMATA, Hon. Emerenini Stanley Chidiebere (popularly known as Chidi Imo), thanked the Governor and the Commissioner for the opportunity to serve, promising that the executive would not disappoint.

He expressed confidence in the leadership of Chief Udeigbo and reiterated their commitment to achieving set goals.

The ceremony featured opening and closing prayers led by Elder Dr. Uchechukwu Anyanwu and Ejike Urams respectively and the presentation of certificates to the newly inaugurated executive members.

The ASMATA executive is led by Hon. Chief Alphonsus E. Udeigbo as President General, with Hon. Emerenini Stanley Chidiebere (Chidi Imo) as Vice President.

Other members include: Hon. Uzosike Uzochukwu (Secretary), Prince Amah Ugorji (Assistant Secretary), Elder Dr. Uchechukwu Anyanwu (Treasurer), Ejike Okere (Financial Secretary), Franklin Onwumere (Assistant Financial Secretary), Chief Ejike Urams (PRO), Hon. Chief Mrs. Ezinne Nkechi Ezim (Woman Leader), Lady Joy Aaron (Deputy Woman Leader), Mr. Uche Madubuike (Provost), Hon. Obinna Chukwujama (Chief Task Force), Mrs. Rosemary Nneka Okereke (Member), Okoronkwo Jennifer (Member), Comrade Ozoekwe Chikadibia (Member), Hon. Ifeanyi Orji (Member), Hon. Okoronkwo Chukwuma (Member), Hon. Zereuwa Oluchi Orji (Member), Hon. Elvis Ebirim (Member), Hon. Ugochukwu Ibekwu (Member), Comrade Akwarandu Anyim (Member), and Sir Nnabudo Hyacinth (Member).

Highlights of the event included a toast in honour of the newly inaugurated executive, the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, and the anticipated victory of Governor Alex Otti in the 2027 election.