U-Report: Igbo Mandate Union Lauds President Of South-East Traders Association

SEAMATA Officials At An Occasion

Report By: Dede Uzor A. Uzor

Igbo Mandate Union (IMU) has commended the President of South-East Amalgamated Traders Association (SEAMATA), Dr. Okwudili Ezenwankwo, for his purposeful leadership of traders within the zone.

The group said this in a statement issued in Onitsha, Anambra on Saturday; signed by its President Dede Uzor A. Uzor.

It said that its purposeful leadership had brought peace and stopped the issue of factionalization among traders within the zone.

``Ezenwankwo has brought the traders in the South-East under one body, thus, making them to have a strong political voice and power of bargaining with government at all levels.

``He has conducted free and fair elections through option A-4 method to over 50 markets in Anambra and had supervise over 100 elections within the other four states that make-up the South-East.

``Campaigned vigorously for President Goodluck Jonathan in his bid for the President in 2011 and was instrumental to the re-installing of Gov. Peter Obi back to the government house for his second term in office in Feb. 6, 2010.

``The on-going construction of Anambra Traders’ Secretariat – Traders House; while he aided in bring traders case to the government as well as protecting their rights and interest.

``Under his administration, he secured 50 high-capacity motorcycle from Gov. Peter Obi for vigilante groups in various markets in Anambra State to secure them properly.

``He has empowered over 2,000 youths by granting soft loan facilities to them to either start or advance their businesses within the zone,’’ it said.

The statement, however, called on South-East governors, business moguls and traders’ associations to support him on his bid to be the President-General of Nigeria Traders.

``He would certainly bring his wealth of experience and exemplary leadership quality of over 20 years in different offices in Anambra and South-East traders’ leadership to bear,’’ it said.

However, IMU called on President Goodluck Jonathan to fulfill his campaign promises to the South-East traders, which included: building of the second Niger Bridge and completion of the on-going Onitsha-Enugu Federal Highway in six months.

``As well as up-grading the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu to boost the economy of the South-East, South-South and North-Central; which would help to engage youths from these area,’’ it said.