BY PETER-MARY NWASIKE
The people of Nibo, in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, have embarked upon rural urbanization of their rural town, with establishment of an ultra-modern international market, known as EZEAWAKA MARKET: which commenced business on April 16th 2025.
The market is situated along the busy Amawbia – Agulu – Ekwulobia Road, occupies large acre of land, with gigantic buildings, worth billions of naira, to house many industrial and agricultural products, of both local and foreign origins. On the commencement day, food-stuff items, mainly vegetables, were brought by lorries from Northern Nigeria (Sokoto, Jos, Katsina, Markurdi), were on sale.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of Nibo Town Union. Hon. Chief Omeligwe Ellee, said that the vast area of land, situated with their boundary of Amawbia, Awka, Nise, has abundant commercial attractions, and so, they opted to utilize it for massive commercialization purposes, as it has prospects for business profitability. He noted that as it is within the avenue for dualisation of the Amawbia –Agulu-Ekwuluoba-Uga Road, enroute to Imo State, it has great prospects to compare favourably with other big markets in Anambra, among them, the Onitsha Main Market, Nnewi Industrial Markets, to mention but a few.
Hon. Chief Omeligwe, said that when the market becomes fully functional, it shall have sheds for building materials, electronics and electrical, textiles, furniture, plastic goods, shoes, food-stuff/vegetables, to mention but a few. He said that their kinsmen are tycoons doing lucrative businesses in other parts of Nigeria, and even Europe, Asia and America, and the market will attract them to come home and establish industries to feed the market with all types of manufactured goods. He commended Governor Soludo for encouraging Anambra Indigenes to “Think Home” and establishes entrepreneurship of industrialization and commercialization and in answering the call, his people of Nibo, shall benefit immensely with the establishment of the international market, and prospective industrialization.
A prominent community leader, Chief Tochukwu Ezeugo, said that he is a businessman is Lagos, but the commencement of the market attracted him to return and participate in the maiden commercialization. He said that he shall create branches of his businesses to the market, to help in the urbanization of his Local Community. He commended the leadership of Chief Omeligwe, whose astute business accomplishments have given guidance to developing an international market of great repute.
The leader of Hausa Community in Awka Capital City, Alhaji Abubarkar Sadiq, expressed delight for the big market at Nibo, a neighbouring village to Awka capital city. He said that they, the Hausa Community, who have large business enterprises, shall patronize the market, both as sellers and buyers. He said that they, the Hausa merchants, shall communicate with their kinsmen in Northern Nigeria, and flood the market with cows, goats, sheep, chickens, and also tomatoes, pepper, onions, oranges, carrots, cucumber, and other variety of vegetables, for easy accessibility at affordable price, to their numerous customers.
It is expected that the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, shall visit the market, for official commissioning, as it is compatible with his policy to develop Anambra into a mega city of livable, pleasurable and smart city State. Traditional Ruler of Nibo Igwe Ezeike express joy and happiness that an International Modern Market is established and functional in his kingdom. He commended the President General Chief Omeligwe for his efforts in actualizing the International Market.
