ESTABLISHED on May 9, 1991, Èdè-Ai-Abbah Market is located at Olanyega-Amejo in Edumoga District of Okpokwu GA of Benue State. At inception, the market became the commercial hub of the rural dwellers especially, the villages that make up Amejo and Okonobo wards (the two wards make up Ai-Abbah).
The market under the pioneer market chief (Ukpoju), Chief Emmanuel Ochiga, from Ogene-Amejo, competed favourably with other neighbouring but older markets like Afor (also called Ògbágó) and Èké Market in Òlengbècho; situated in Ùgbòkòlò and Èké wards respectively.
“That is not all; gangsters of opposing groups had found the market day and the location a convenient day and ground for them to engage each other in power and inter-rivalry duels. There was a time some gangsters from Ingle/Okpalle Ward went toe-to-toe with their counterparts from Amejo Ward on one of the market days. That day was Hell for both buyers and sellers as some hoodlums used the opportunity to steal their products. Consequently, whenever there was a rumour that the gangsters would clash in the next market, people would not turn out for fear of being injured, robbed or attacked.”
The joy is that the three markets are located in Edumoga, thus boosting the economy of the district in particular, and generating revenue for Okpokwu LGA under which Edumoga is a district.
The focus of this article is the death of the market and the divine approach of the Parish Priest of St. Peter Claver Parish, Ai-Abbah, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Oche Ogah to revive the market recently.
It would be recalled that Olanyega, the host community of the market, was a major player in the management of the market, ranging from taskforce, security and transport union. However, the community had not done enough to sustain the continuous existence of the market, thus paving the way for some bad elements from within and outside the community to invade the market at night in order to loot traders’ goods. This set the tone for the downfall of the market.
This vice continued unabated and traders from the eastern and northern parts of the country were being robbed of their belongings; just as rural dwellers too were also victims of the constant robbery incidents. The community knew these armed robbers but failed to expose them, a situation that crippled the market and it started to record low patronage.
As the issue of robbery went on, the two blocks that established the market; Amejo and Okonobo, were engaging each other in various accusations and counter-accusations. Worthy of note was the issue of who became the next market chief after Chief Emmanuel Ochiga had completed his tenure. Then, it was the turn of Okonobo Ward to produce the next market chief. Two contestants indicated interest in the office, namely, Mr Sunday Ito from Efoyo and Mr Pius Ogwuche from Eboya, all in Okonobo Ward.
Unfortunately, a winner could not emerge between the two people as the process for the selection was marred by violence and the matter was taken to court. However, both contestants died before the court proceedings were concluded. The development led to the emergence of Chief Obochi Okoh from Opidlo in Amejo Ward as the next market chief in the late 1990s.
“In addition, the two blocks that established Èdè Market had at one point or the other accused Ugbokolo Ward of plotting the downfall of the market so that Afor (Ògbágó) Market would not have a close competitor. This allegation was not made public since there was no substantial evidence to prove it. Some school of thought therefore perceived that the problem of Èdè Market was due to ritual activities by some enemies of Ai-Abbah right inside the market.”
The patronage at the market continued to depreciate when Chief Obochi took over due to his inability to resolve the circumstance that surrounded the sudden death of Mr Sunday Ito and Mr Pius Ogwuche in addition to the issues of armed robbery, looting and uncontrollable attitudes of some transport unions and market elders. Notable among the looting was the removal of the roofing sheets from a two-hundred capacity pavilion built by the local government administration under the chairmanship of Comrade Patrick Abba Moro, the then Chairman of Okpokwu LGA, and the current Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District. Those who carried out the act were among the inhabitants of Amejo and Okonobo. It could be said at this juncture, that the same people who established Èdè market were themselves responsible for the downfall of the market.
That is not all; gangsters of opposing groups had found the market day and the location a convenient day and ground for them to engage each other in power and inter-rivalry duels. There was a time some gangsters from Ingle/Okpalle Ward went toe-to-toe with their counterparts from Amejo Ward on one of the market days. That day was Hell for both buyers and sellers as some hoodlums used the opportunity to steal their products. Consequently, whenever there was a rumour that the gangsters would clash in the next market, people would not turn out for fear of being injured, robbed or attacked.
These situations, among others, led to the establishment of a Divisional Police Station by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) at Olanyega in the late 1990s. But no sooner was the Police Division established than it vanished due to overwhelming crises within and around Olanyega Community which the personnel of the Police Division could not contain.
In addition, the two blocks that established Èdè Market had at one point or the other accused Ugbokolo Ward of plotting the downfall of the market so that Afor (Ògbágó) Market would not have a close competitor. This allegation was not made public since there was no substantial evidence to prove it. Some school of thought therefore perceived that the problem of Èdè Market was due to ritual activities by some enemies of Ai-Abbah right inside the market.
“At this juncture, it is important to note that some of the elements that caused the death of the market are still alive. Measures should therefore be taken to curtail their operations as much as possible in order not to cripple the market a second time.”
Whether Ugbokolo was plotting the downfall of the market or there was a ritual activity in the market, all became a matter of superstition in the end, because Amejo and Okonobo had resigned to fate and the belief was that nothing could be done to ever revive the market. Amejo and Okonobo already knew the problems of the market but they could not or are incapable of resolving them. In this sense, one can easily assume that Amejo and Okonobo are the problems of the market, not outsiders as purported.
In early 2000, Èdè Market became a shadow of its old bustling self. The only activity left at the market was a contribution meeting under the aegis of ‘Ambulance’, formed by some elders from Amejo and Okonobo, which held every three market weeks. The market chief, Elder Obochi Okoh, also died in 2012 and nobody succeeded him. Since then, the market has been without a chief.
As a result of this vacuum, some people who had donated land for the establishment of the market had started reclaiming their land until recently in April, 2023 when Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ogah, a Catholic Priest of Otukpo Diocese, was transferred by His Lordship, the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Michael Ekwoi Apochi, to St Peter Claver Parish, Olanyega, as the Parish Priest.
“Amejo and Okonobo should see the market as their project and therefore should manage it with all forms of seriousness as it will enhance the economic benefits of the people within the localities. Okpokwu LGA too should ensure that constant security personnel are available in the market to curb all forms of vices – theft, armed robbery, cult inter-cult rivalry and inert-group bullying, looting of goods amongst other. No doubt, the market is not only a veritable source of revenue for the immediate communities of Amejo and Okonobo but also for the grassroots’ economy of Edumoga District and even more so, the Okpokwu LGA.”
On his assumption of office at Olanyega, the first project of the priest was to ensure that Èdè Market resumed operation. The people were sceptical about his stand and developed cold feet towards the idea. The priest summoned all the elders and Catholic faithful including other denominations to schedule prayers and fasting. A three-week of intense fasting and prayers were put in place by different organisations and societies in the church. The event took place at the market square for three consecutive weeks and on May 16th, 2023, the market was reopened amidst jubilation from every quarters.
Dignitaries who witnessed the event included village, ward and district heads from Amejo and Okonobo wards, Church leaders, youth leaders and special guests from Okpokwu LGA. At the moment, the market is being supervised by a committee set up by the priest. This measure was taken to observe the progress of the market before a substantive market chief could be appointed.
At this juncture, it is important to note that some of the elements that caused the death of the market are still alive. Measures should therefore be taken to curtail their operations as much as possible in order not to cripple the market a second time.
Similarly, Amejo and Okonobo should see the market as their project and therefore should manage it with all forms of seriousness as it will enhance the economic benefits of the people within the localities. Okpokwu LGA too should ensure that constant security personnel are available in the market to curb all forms of vices – theft, armed robbery, cult inter-cult rivalry and inert-group bullying, looting of goods amongst other. No doubt, the market is not only a veritable source of revenue for the immediate communities of Amejo and Okonobo but also for the grassroots’ economy of Edumoga District and even more so, the Okpokwu LGA.
Owoicho, an educationist and language consultant, writes from Ilorin, Kwara State. He can be reached on WhatsApp: 08073524949; Email:owoichoalleh@gmail.com.
