Onicha-Olona Agog As Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation Revives 20-Year-Old Abandoned Market

Onicha-Olona community in Aniocha North Local government area of Delta state was agog on Monday as the Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation (DAO Foundation) achieved a milestone when it brought back to use the market built 20 years ago by the Aniocha North Local government administration of Callistus Nwawolo but abandoned because of lack of good access road.

Dr. (Mrs) Doris Amaka Ochei, wife of Major General Raymond Ochei is founder and President of DAO Foundation

She facilitated the rehabilitation, expansion and commissioning of the market by the incumbent Local Government Chairman, Hon. Kevin Okwechime.

The event which brought joy to the sleepy town of Onicha Olona was graced by notable personalities, including the Obi of Onicha-Olona, His Royal Majesty Obi Uzu Diji, former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly and Executive Director, NIMASA, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, Major Gen. Ochei, Chairman, Delta State waste Management Board, Hon. Emma Chinye, the Omu Anioma, Obi Martha Dunkwu, the clergy among numerous others.

Speaking at the commissioning and unveiling of the plaque of the market, Dr Mrs Amaka Ochei, while thanking God for the grace and the guests for gracing the occasion said: “Today for me is a dream come through because the day that we came to commission this road, I looked at the market and I felt that it was a huge waste leaving the market lying like this. And I decided that something has to be done to encourage women to come here to start trading.”

She said that the Dr. Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation (DAO Foundation) is one that is interested in the development of community, especially uplifting the standard of living of the men, women and children.

She explained that this is because of the peculiar nature of women and the responsibility of training and bringing up the children, taking care, of their husbands, the home and making themselves as wives presentable to husbands make huge demands on the women.

Dr (Mrs) Ochei said: “That is why DAO Foundation is interested in women. So we looked at it and said if were empower women so they can become financially capable. When I say financially capable, I don’t mean being independence because you can’t be independent from your husband, no matter how rich you are. But capable to be able to take care of some things; take care of yourself without stressing the man all the time.”

She urged the women to understand that it is important for them to engage their minds to be financially able to done things little by little and thus help to reduce pressure on husbands.

“You will help to train the children; you will look good for your husband and even come to assist your husband in case he becomes a little bit financially dependent,” Dr. (Mrs) Ochei said.

Speaking, the Aniocha North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Kevin Okwechime, who was represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Kennedy Okoh, while commending the people of Onicha-Olona for the epoch making event that will go down in history as an effort to deepen the concept of Private-Public- Partnership and self-help effort in community development, acknowledged with commendation, the vision and commitment of Dr. (Mrs) Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation to the rehabilitation/expansion of the modern market that has the potential to inspire a wide range of income generating and livelihood enhancing activities.

“Permit me therefore to assert here with every sense of responsibility that with your resounding successful execution of this project, you have demonstrated your love for our people and created another window for improved economic activities towards wealth creation and poverty reduction,” Hon. Okwechime said, adding that the strategic location of the Onicha-Olona places the town as a transit community and market/commercial hub of its neighbouring communities.

The Local Government chairman commended the Onicha-Olona Development Union for its impact on the Council’s area over the years through self-help as evidenced in the novel ideas and patriotism per excellence that the current President General is bringing to bear on community service.

The President General, Onicha-Olona Development Union, Sir Patrick Ejidoh earlier in his welcome address, expressed the community’s gratitude to Major General Raymond and his wife, Doris for the good gesture. He specially singled out Dr. Mrs Doris Amaka Ochei for her interest in the development of the town. “She completed and tarred the road and went ahead to proclaim that the market’s rehabilitation would be completed by Easter,’ Sir Ejidoh said.

The PG recalled that the market was built 20 years ago in 2003 when Mr. Callistus Nwawolor was the local government chairman. “When the market was completed, the road was dilapidated and it discouraged traders from coming because it was a difficult terrain and people could not access the market. The people resorted to trading at the centre of the road with its attendant risk and danger.”

Highlight of the event was the cutting of the tape to inaugurate the market, which was done by the Aniocha North Local Government Chairman, Hon Kevin Okwechime represented by Hon. Kennedy Okoh, Secretary to the Council. The unveiling of the plaque was done by Omu Anioma, Obi Martha Dunkwu, assisted by the Dr (Mrs) Ochei, her husband, Major Gen. Ochei and the PG, Mr. Ejidoh.