By Our Reporter
Hamilton and Thelma Ezeonu Foundation, a non governmental organization (NGO) has offered relief assistance to over 500 persons whose shops were demolished in Afor Nnobi market in Idemili South local government area of Anambra State.
The demolition, which reportedly affected over 200 buildings and shops, was necessitated by the recent reconstruction and widening of Afor Nnobi roundabout to beautify the area, and to help ease traffic and reduce decongestion, especially during festive seasons.
The victims who were majorly aged women, were given a medium bag of rice each with undisclosed amount of money to help them start all over again.
Speaking during the event, the initiator of the Hamilton and Thelma Ezeonu Foundation, High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu (Ikemba Idemili), commiserated with the victims, and stated that the purpose of the gathering was to console them over their losses, and to assist them to enable them start life and businesses allover again.
“What we have just given you is our own little way of contributing to your livelihood, so that you can rent shops and start life again, so that all of you who have lost your means of livelihood can start all over again, and will be able to fend for your families.
“One of our main purpose is to assuage you for what happened at Afor market. When I heard about the incident, I could not sleep for nights, because, you lost your means of livelihood.
“What I did was to call Governor Charles Soludo to arrange meeting with the governor and other leaders of Nnobi. This is because, I could not sit somewhere while my people are suffering. We cannot abandon you. Your issue is very personal to to you,” he said.
He further promised that when the new Afor market is completed, and shops allocated to the displaced traders, the foundation would provide ten million naira from where they would access more grants and aids to support their businesses.
He further told his audience that the Anambra government has good intention for Nnobi, and did not demolish the market to punish anybody.
According to him, “The governor has assured that as soon as leaders of Nnobi make land available for construction of the new Afor Nnobi market, he would mobilize contractor to site, so that the market will be completed as soon as possible.”
In her own speech, co-founder of the NGO, Dr. (Mrs) Thelma Ezeonu (Osodieme) commiserated with the victims and assured of the foundation would continue to assist the less fortunate people in the society, anytime, any day.
Speaking to newsmen after the event, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Utazi Caroline, expressed joy at the gesture, saying that when she lost her two shops in the process of the road construction, she felt that it was all over for her and her family. The 55 year old said that Ezeonu foundation’s support has injected a new life into her family and her business.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Chizoba Ikemba, 62 year old woman, who spoke with our correspendent, said that Hamilton and Thelma Ezeonu Foundation’s intervention and support came as a big relief to her.
According to her, “My shop, which was demolished in the course of the road construction in Afor Nnobi was my only source of survival. When it was demolished, I felt that it was all over for me. But today, look at me. Ikemba and his wife have given a new lease of life. May God bless and support them.”
Mrs Lovelyn Ezeonyim, 58 year old, who also benefited from the support, told our correspendent that she lost a family house and two shops during the Afor Nnobi road construction exercise. While thanking Governor Charles Soludo for promising to provide her family new accommodation, Mrs Ezeonyim praised the foundation for providing immediate succour that will keep her business afloat.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Nkiru Amara, 71 year old widow, also said she lost “a very big provision shop” during the demolition exercise. She said however that the NGO demonstrated uncommon benevolence by gathering the victims and giving them new lease of life.
A major stakeholder in the community, Chief Ikechukwu Obachie (Ichie Chinedu Nnobi ), in his own speech, thanked the NGO for assisting the displaced women. He also called on the concerned authorities to expedite action and ensure that they start and complete the new Afor market, so that shops will be allocated to the victims.
