By Tobias Ekirika
Present General of Building Materials International Market, Ogidi, Anambra State, Chief Jude Nwankwo, (Ochendo Umu Awulu) has become the 4th Patron of the Anambra State Markets Evangelism Coordinators Committee (ANSMECC),.
The recognition came on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, on the occasion of the 2024 end of year prayer rally and crusade organized by ANSMECC in collaboration with traders in the building materials market.
State Coordinator of ANSMECC, Bro. Silvanus Analike, said that Chief Jude Nwankwo's unquenchable taste and support for the gospel, his amiable leadership quality and style, as well as his role in championing the welfare of the poor and the needy, fetched him the honour.
He said, "Chairman of Building Materials International Market, Ogidi, Chief Jude Nwankwo, is an examplery leader in many ways. Apart from making the market one of the most peaceful and most secured, Chief Nwankwo has continued to be a pillar of support for the propagation of the gospel in his market, by way of supporting market evangelism.
"Nwankwo is also a great pillar of support for the poor and the needy, and all of us are aware that support for the poor and the needy is one of the most impactful ways to preach the gospel of Christ. All these things are what we considered, and then, deemed it necessary to encourage him, and spur him into greater deeds."
While handing the plaque to the market leader, the ANSMECC coordinator further announced elevation of Chief Jude Nwankwo as a Patron of evangelism group.
Bro. Analike said, "Before now, ANSMECC has three patrons. They include His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke; Rt. Rev. Ephraim Ikeakor, and Rev. (Major) John Okpalaiheadi. They are all clergymen. Chief Nwankwo is our fourth patron, and he is the only non clergyman among them. What we considered is his pure love and support for evangelism in all its ramification."
Speaking, Chief Nwankwo, who expressed surprise at the honour done to him, went memory lane on how the market made God its pillar and foundation, which he said, has continued to bring progress to traders in the market.
"As a human being, I will say that I don't merit this honour - being the only lay person among patrons of this group. However, I will accept it, believing that it will help me improve greatly on the reason why I am honoured."
While thanking God for making 2024 a successful year for traders in the building materials market, despite the economic meltdown, Chief Nwankwo also spoke on how the market had continued to attract prosperity for its members and customers through interventions, innovations and business connections.
The market leader, in his characteristic way of encouraging hard work, good stewardship, dedication and examplery lifestyle, honoured four couples, who are traders in the market, and who he said, were shining examples and role models in their peculiar ways.
Chief Nwankwo pointed out that the aim of the honour was to make other couples and traders envious, and to make them work and walk towards near perfection, for the betterment of the market and their individual homes.
Earlier during the prayer rally, the bishop of Oji River Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ik Egwuonwu, praised the market for setting standards which other markets copy. According to him, prayer has been a tradition in the building materials market, Ogidi, a reason why traders in the market succeed, even where other traders fail.
He commended the leader of the market, Chief Jude Nwankwo, for championing evangelism in the market, and urged other markets to emulate same, by placing God first in all undertakings.
The end of year prayer rally and crusade was attended by hundreds of traders in the market, visiting clergymen from different Christian denominations, patrons and executive members of the market, market women, gospel artistes, among others.