By Tobias Ekirika, Onitsha.
Business activities were seen in a full scale on Monday 2nd February 2026 as the popular Onitsha main market and other surrendering Markets including banks opened for businesses.
Traders and their customers were seen doing their businesses with joy and praises to the Executive Governor of Anambra state, Prof Charles Soludo for standing on his feet in putting to an end the five years sit-at-home order in the State.
Security agencies, including, Army, police, DSS, Civil defence, Udogachi security outfit were all on ground both in Onitsha main market and other surrendering markets .
In Old Motor Car Parts Market Ngbuka, Obosi, in Idemili North local government Area, some traders are seen doing their businesses while few shops are closed.
Speaking to journalists, the Chairman of the market, Chief Samuel Ifurunwa expressed his gratitude to the Governor of Anambra State Prof Soludo for bringing business activities back on Mondays.
Chief Ifurunwa who is excited with the turnout of traders in the market attributed it to his personal announcement which according to him, led him to go round the market to sensitize the traders on the importance and benefits of opening their business on Monday as directed by the state Governor.
“I went round the market explaining to the traders the importance and benefits attached to reopening our Monday businesses as directed by our Governor. Reopening our business on Mondays is for our own good and benefits, “he maintained
The market leader assured that he would not relent in his efforts to make sure that all the shops in the market open for business activities on Mondays .
He equally commended the Mayor of Idemili North for his visit to the market which he said was to ascertain the level of compliance by the traders on the reopening of market on Mondays as directed by the State Governor.
In a similar development, Ogbaru marin market were seen in their numbers not only trading but they were celebrating as the President General of the market, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu and his executive members cooked food and enough drinks for the traders who are jubilating for returning Monday businesses to live.
In an interview with newsmen, Chief Ochiogu (Ezeudo) applauded the Governor for giving the traders their heart desires by putting to an end Sit–At–Home in the state.
The market leader also commended the traders for coming out en mass to open their shops for business activities as directed by the Governor, despite false information circulating in some social media platforms.
“I want to thank our ‘talk and do’ Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo for bringing back Monday business activities back to live in the state after nearly five years now. You can see my traders jubilating. Shops are open. banks are working. We salute our Governor, “he said.
He appealed to the Governor to let the security men be around the market at least 4 pm before going back to the stations so that the traders can relax and do their businesses without fear of any form of intimidation or attack by the hoodlums.
