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By Tony Udemba
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In an atmosphere devoid of rancour and misgivings, members of the Mandilas United Traders Association located at the Trade Fair Complex, along Badagry Highway, Lagos, recently elected new executives to pilot the affairs of the ultra modern market for the next four years.
At the venue of the election and within the market, there was tight security everywhere as the police and private security men were on hand to ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of the election.
Earlier on the day of the election, hundreds of registered members of the traders association gathered at their secretariat, preparatory for the election, having undergone accreditations.
Few minutes to the commencement of the election, all the contestants were given the opportunity to address the traders about their intentions and capabilities.
At the end of election, which was largely free, peaceful and without any rancour, Evangelist (Dr) Emmanuel Chukwudozie Ezeani was unanimously elected as the new president of the traders association, while Edeh Jude and Innocent Enukwu were dully elected 1st vice-president and 2nd vice-president, respectively.
Others elected officers, were; Emeka Onyeadurum ( Secretary), Anthony Amechi Madu ( Ass. Secretary) and Innocent Ukorah ( financial secretary). Also elected were Jerry Moedu, as treasurer, Ejike Ofoma, as PRO, Okafor Ikechukwu, as Ass/ PRO, Mrs. Florence Agoh, as Welfare Officer and Nnamdi Ewuzie as chief provost.
In his maiden address after his election, the president – elect, Evang. Ezeani, glorified God for the peaceful conduct of the election, even as he expressed his gratitude to members of the association for finding him worthy to be entrusted with the leadership of the market. He assured them of a leadership that would be transparent, just and fair to all members, while promising to focus on the welfare and empowerment of the traders, and to carry members along in all his actions.
Speakìng further, he paid glowing tributes to the outgoing executives led by Chief Anthony Amechi Okeke, for his numerous achievements, the transformation of the market, and visionary leadership. He spoke of his readiness to ensure a 24 hours electricity supply in the market, even as he promised to take the market to greater heights.
Speaking in the same vein,
the out-going president of Mandilas traders association, Chief Anthony Amechi Okeke, expressed gratitude to God for his support and direction throughout his 8-years in office. He commended his executives, board of trustees and traders for their unalloyed support and steadfastness which was largely responsible for the many successes achieved by him. Okeke assured of the confidence he has on the president- elect and the incoming executives, even as he prayed God to bless them with long life , good health and great wisdom to bring more transformation to market and lead the traders to greater heights. While counselling the traders to be loyal and supportive to the newly elected executives, Okeke called on incoming executives to be of good conduct, always listen to the traders, and ensure to carry them along in their actions. He noted that good leadership begets good followership.
In his remarks. Mr Valentine Iwuolisa, chairman of the electoral committee, commended the traders for their peaceful conduct and orderliness during the voting exercise, just as he expressed satisfaction for the conduct and outcome of the exercise, saying that the uniqueness in the conduct of elections by the association was a reflection of the high sense of trust and confidence members had on the association. He further called on other traders associations, particularly in the Trade Fair Complex, to borrow from them their unique way of conducting elections in order to reduce the spate of pre- election and post- election crisis which has continued to impact negatively on most of the traders associations in the area.
This year’s election by the Mandilas Traders Association Association, which was largely peaceful and rancour free, attracted a large turnout of registered members and observers, including the Board of Trustees of association and delegates from other traders associations within the area, as well as the police, who ensured that there was peace, fairness, transparency and orderliness throughout the exercise.
