By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Joy and excitement filled the Kogi International Market on Saturday as the Traders Association formally inaugurated its newly elected executive committee, ushering in a fresh era of leadership and renewed hope for market stakeholders.
The colourful ceremony, held at the market pavilion, drew a large crowd of traders, union officials, community leaders, and representatives of the Maigari of Lokoja and the Lokoja LGA Chairman were also in attendance.
Participants expressed
optimism that the new leadership would address longstanding challenges confronting traders and reposition the market for growth.
In his inaugural address, the newly elected Chairman, Alhaji Hassan Inuwa Manager, thanked members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to run an inclusive administration anchored on unity, transparency, and improved welfare for traders.
He outlined key priorities of the new executive to include the rehabilitation of poor market infrastructure, enhancement of security, resolution of multiple taxation concerns, and improved communication between the association and relevant government agencies.
A representative of the local government chairman, who commended the peaceful and democratic conduct of the election, described traders as critical drivers of the local economy and assured the association of the governmentâs continued support for organised trade groups across the local government area.
In his remarks, the outgoing President-General of the Ogbo community in Kogi State, Chief Sunday Solomon Nwachukwu, appealed to traders to always report issues affecting them to the union, stressing that proper communication would help the leadership address challenges promptly and maintain harmony within the market.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Hausa Traders Association, Alhaji Ali Tanko, congratulated the newly inaugurated executive committee and called on traders to cooperate fully with the new leadership for the collective growth and harmony of the market.
Other members of the executive committee reiterated their commitment to promoting orderliness, fairness, and accountability, assuring traders that the interest of all members would remain paramount.
The newly inaugurated Executive Committee includes:
1. Alhaji Hassan Inuwa Manager â Chairman
2. Alhaji Ahmadu Ada Adamu â Secretary
3. Malam Nurah Abdullahi â Treasurer
4. Malam Aminu Muhammad â Public Relations Officer I (P.R.O I)
5. Mr. Ezekwe Vincent â Public Relations Officer II (P.R.O II)
6. Alhaji Isah Bauchi â Patron I
7. Prince Chikwudi â Patron II
8. Alhaji Adamu Okene â Patron III
9. Malam Atabor Muhammad â Patron IV
Several traders who spoke at the event expressed confidence that the new leadership would bring modernisation to the market and attract increased commercial activities from within and outside Kogi State.
The event concluded with cultural performances, the presentation of certificates to the newly inaugurated executives, and a renewed sense of unity and optimism among members of the market community.
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