Market Money: Osayande splashes money on PZ, Okha market women
…gets rain of blessings, prayers from beneficiaries
The Executive Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government, Dr. Eric Osayande, on Thursday, flagged off the market money support to market women in Ikpoba-Okha.
The market money support is an initiative of the Osayande-led administration designed to support Ikpoba-Okha market women in their trade.
Osayande, represented by the Vice Chairman, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government, Hon. Osamuyi Idehen, visited PZ market in Ward 6 and Okha market in Ward 9 of the Local Government Area to distribute the funds on Thursday with a pledge to extend the gesture to other markets in the area.
The market money support to market women also forms part of Osayande’s campaign promises during the electioneering period leading to the LG election of September 2 this year.
The market women were in a joyful and prayer mood for the Council Chairman, showing excitement, with an outpour of encomiums by women beneficiaries of PZ and Okha markets.
The Thursday programme captured fifty (50) women each from both markets, with the sum of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000.00) support money on the spot.
Osayande said “the market money aims to support our market women with the sole aim to help small-scale business women grow their trade and support their families”.
PZ market women noted that many of them have traded in the market for many years, this will be the first time a Local Government Chairman will be empowering market women directly, without any middle man, and with no election in sight.
Upon receiving her package, one of the beneficiaries at Okha market, Grace Bello, rained prayers on the Council Chairman; she said “may he live long, may God begin to bless him day, morning, night in Jesus name I pray”
In obvious and uncontrollable jubilant mood, another beneficiary, Roseline Ehigie, said, “may God bless him, he will continue to grow from strength to strength; God will bless him and uplift him in every way”.
Ehigie noted that the empowerment programme will further boost her trade.
Recall that Osayande, during his first term, started the direct distribution of support funds to market women, when in 2019, in company of the then Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Monday Osaigbovo, market women drawn from across various markets in the LGA benefitted from the Osayande Market Support Funds (OSMI).
The Council Boss has stated that the exercise is continuous, as next phase of distribution will capture Santana market, Oregbeni market, others.
Iyeki of PZ market, Mrs. Victoria Ogieva, was full of joy, though not in the market as at the time of distribution, when contacted and told of the exercise, she joyfully said, “I want to thank the Council Chairman for his good works, he has brought hope back to market women in Ikpoba-Okha, we are very happy with his good works and will continue to support and cooperate with him in all areas”.
Market women who benefitted from the Thursday’s market money support includes but not limited to Aghedo Osarumwense, Blessing Osemeke, Vero Ehiorobo, Comfort Omorosiuwa, Happy Obazee, Rosemary Ibadin, Blessing Idemudia, Ewemade Orobosa, Mercy Igbinovia, Comfort Ekunwe, Joy Agisogu, Blessing Odih, Esther Osigwe, Angela Patrick and Blessing Ihensekhien.
Others are Idomi Isaac, Precious Osaigbovo, Jennifer Omoruyi, Promise Ogiegba, Emily Anetor, Sonia Amenze, Juliet Osabuohien, Joy Alfred, Monalisa Osagie, Rose Guobadia, Victoria Egbe, Lovett Ogaga, Osasu Edobor, Queen Iziegbe and a host of others.
In company of the Vice Chairman to do the distribution were the Councilor representing Ward 6 in the Ikpoba-Okha Legislative Arm, Hon. Obosa Jolly Ogbeide, Chief Administrative Officer of the Council, Pst. Josephine Duze and a former Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor, Hon. Harrison Esemuede from Ward 9.
