NGWA ROAD MARKET TRADERS HOLD 2026 OPENING PRAYER *DECLARE SUPPORT FOR OTTI AHEAD OF 2027
It was a moment of joy, praise, and thanksgiving as traders of Ngwa Road Market, Aba—popularly known as Ahia Ohu—gathered for their 2026 New Year Opening Prayer.
The well-attended prayer summit, themed “He Changes the Times and the Seasons,” drawn from Daniel 2:21, held along the Ngwa Road Market main road on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Delivering the homily, the Guest Preacher and General Overseer of Time Is Short Gospel Mission, Aba, Rev. Friday Nnah, thanked God for preserving the lives of the traders to witness and participate in the solemn assembly. He also commended the leadership of the market for organizing the prayer gathering.
Rev. Nnah urged the traders to remain steadfast in their lives and businesses while shunning idolatry and other evil practices often adopted by some people to boost business fortunes or solve personal challenges. He stressed that even when situations appear discouraging, God—whom he described as the changer of times and seasons—has the power to turn things around for the better.
He further admonished the traders to fear God and avoid all forms of sharp practices aimed at defrauding customers in the quest for quick wealth, warning that such actions often come with unpleasant consequences.
The cleric also encouraged them to learn from the experience of King Nebuchadnezzar by embracing humility regardless of their wealth or social status. He reassured those experiencing downturns in their businesses and personal lives that God would eventually change their situations.
Rev. Nnah also prayed that none of those who attended this year’s prayer gathering would die before the next edition and asked God to bless the traders and all participants.
A major highlight of the event was the rededication of the market and special prayers offered for the executive members and the entire body of traders, seeking God’s blessings for good health, divine protection, peace, and progress.
In his address, the Chairman of Ngwa Road Market Traders Association (NGWA MATA), Ejim Munachiso, expressed profound gratitude to God for making the 2026 opening prayer a reality. He also appreciated the traders for their massive turnout and unwavering support.
Munachiso explained that the essence of the opening prayer was to commit the market, the traders, and their customers into God’s hands for the year. He also said the gathering provided an opportunity to pray for the Performing Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR), asking God to grant him a landslide victory in the 2027 governorship election.
The market leader declared that, there is “No Vacancy at the Government House, Umuahia, in 2027.
According to him, the traders were already prepared with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to re-elect the governor and enable him to continue his developmental strides in the state.
He assured that efforts would be made to bring voter registration centres closer to the busy market environment to enable traders obtain their PVCs with ease.
Munachiso also thanked traditional rulers including HRM Eze S. D. N. Emejiaka, HRM Eze Ibe Enyeazu and HRH Eze Blessing Ogbonna, the member representing Aba Central State Constituency, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu, and the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Mrs. Salome Obiukwu—represented by the Director of Commerce, Mrs. Uchenna Añumadu—among other dignitaries for joining the traders in worship.
In his remarks, the member representing Aba Central State Constituency, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu, said he felt privileged and fulfilled to participate in the opening prayer, noting that his heart was filled with gratitude to God for the opportunity to witness the event.
He appreciated traditional rulers including HRM Eze Sir S. D. N. Emejiaka, HRM Eze Ibe Enyeazu, and HRH Eze Blessing Ogbonna for identifying with the traders during the prayer gathering.
Akachukwu commended the traders for their consistent support for the present administration led by Governor Alex Otti, as well as for his representation, expressing optimism that such support would be replicated in the 2027 election.
He also praised Governor Otti for his monumental achievements across the state, particularly in Aba and Umuahia, and reaffirmed his commitment as a lawmaker to support the governor in fulfilling his promises to the people of Abia State.
The lawmaker prayed for God’s blessings upon all those who made sacrifices to attend the prayer gathering and urged the traders to sustain their support for the Otti-led administration in order to continue enjoying the dividends of democracy.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, the Director of Commerce, Mrs. Uchenna Añumadu, thanked the traders and other participants for turning out in large numbers for the opening prayer.
She expressed confidence that since the gathering was held in God’s name, participants would not return home empty-handed.
She encouraged the traders to hold firmly to the declarations and prayers made during the gathering, assuring them that God would answer their prayers.
Añumadu also noted that Governor Alex Otti did not require extensive political campaigning because his performance and achievements already spoke for him. She urged the traders to prepare adequately for the 2027 election by ensuring they possessed their Permanent Voter Cards.
She likened the PVC to a farmer’s essential farming tool, explaining that it was not enough to praise the governor’s performance without turning out to vote during elections.
She also pointed out that markets are often deserted on election days as many traders travel elsewhere to vote, urging them to remain and vote where they conduct their businesses this time around.
Añumadu welcomed the chairman’s assurance that voter registration centres would be brought closer to the market to enable traders register without leaving their shops.
She also conveyed the commissioner’s message urging traders to obey their market leaders, whom she described as the government’s representatives within the market system.
Additionally, she encouraged them to pay their necessary levies and dues so that government services and development initiatives would continue to reflect positively within the market.
The opening prayer was a huge success. In a vote of thanks, the Chairman of the market, Ejim Munachiso, once again appreciated the traders for their support toward the successful organization of the prayer gathering and reassured the state government of their unwavering backing, noting that they are determined to do even more than they did during the 2022 election.
