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By Cosmas Omegoh
Members of Olanibi Traders Association (OTA), who are traders at the popular Olanibi Street Auto Spare Parts Market in Papa Ajao, Mushin, Lagos, last week, inaugurated new executive members of their union. The new executives took their oath of office before their fellow traders and invited guests.
The event which held amid pomp and ceremony featured some executive members of some invited sister unions and other dignitaries, including Chief Okey Udeji, owner, Okeyson Transport Company, who is onetime leader of the union. He brought panache to the event with his message, which ended with inspiring recipe for success in leadership.
Shortly after the opening prayers, the outing-going president of OTA, Prince Donald Ezejioha, took the stage to render his stewardship.
“This outgoing administration, you may recall, was inaugurated on August 12, 2011 after it took over from the Chief Udeji-led administration. If you ask me, I would say that we have made OTA proud.
“Under our watch, among other things, the union bought 30 acres of land at Agbara and we hope that very soon, members will have their plots,” he said.
“We wish to urge the new leadership to do whatever it can to surpass what we have done. We call on every member of OTA to support the new association to succeed.” He then declared his administration dissolved.
Shortly after, Mr Donald Nlemorisa, the new president, called out members of his team. Nlemorisa was vice president in the last regime.
They included the Vice President, Emmanuel Umunna; Secretary General, Onyi Aniagu; Assistant Secretary General, Tochukwu Nwosu and Financial Secretary, Emeka Omike. Others were Assistant Financial Secretary, John Uzor; Treasurer Ejike Onwuka; Task Force Chairman, Daniel Uzor; Assistant Task Force Chairman, Bartholomew Eluobe; Task Force Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Sir Ihioma Lord; Assistant Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Abuchi Ezeilo; Public Relations Officer, Harrison Okechi; Welfare Officer, Elochukwu Ibe and Secretary to the Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Tochukwu Ibe.
They were led to take their oath of office by the Legal Adviser of the union, Degaulle Okekearu, a lawyer.
In his speech on the occasion, Chief Udeji, the Chief Executive Officer, Okeyson Group, pointed to the new executives the pitfalls they must avoid at all cost.
“My outgoing executives did their level best; they have done well to hand over to the incoming executives. I pray God to help this administration to succeed.
“Having said that, it is important to point out that it is not easy to rule and rule well. Money is always the root of all evil to those in government. It is always their nemesis. Therefore, I will urge you to shun the temptation of dipping your fingers into the union’s purse; don’t misuse the union’s money.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Nlemorisa said: “All those who were at the helm of affairs of our union in the past established personal landmarks. So, we will build on their achievements.”
He promised that the traders who subscribed for land at Agbara would soon get their allocations, promising that equity and transparency, among other virtues, would be his watchwords. He said that he would ensure that security of members and their customers were his top priority.
He told Daily Sun that OTA was established many years ago and had waxed very strong. He said that it became necessary to establish the union so that the traders would be protected, assuring members of the public who got shortchanged by the traders to report to his office, as promptly action would be taken.
