NANTS COMMENDS ONITSHA TRADERS AND THE ANAMBRASTATEGOVERNMENT - A NO VICTOR NO VANQUISHED WINNINGSTRATEGYFORBETTER BEGINNINGS. - The National Association of Nigerian Traders NANTS

The National President, on behalf of the National Executive Council of the National Associationof Nigerian Traders (NANTS), hereby extends heartfelt commendation to the GovernmentofAnambra State under the leadership of His Excellency, Prof. Charles ChukwumaSoludo, theleadership of Onitsha Main Market Traders Association (OMMATA), and the entiretradingcommunity of Anambra State for the swift and amicable resolution of the recentface-offbetween the Government and traders. This resolution, which followed the Government’s determination to end the prolongedMondaysit-at-home protest, marks a significant milestone in the economic growth and well-being of theentireSouthEast geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The protest, having persisted for years, severely disruptedbusinessactivities across the South East, with Anambra State particularly affected. The decisiontorestorenormalcy to business operations is a welcome development that will undoubtedly strengtheneconomicgrowth and stability in the region. We are gratified that both the Government and the traders listened to our collective plea andactedinthe spirit of dialogue and cooperation. We commend your willingness to embraceconstructiveengagement and prioritize the welfare of the people. In this regard, we respectfully urge Governor Soludo and other Governors of the South East toaddressthe underlying issues that gave rise to the Monday sit-at-home protest, so as to prevent anyfuturerecurrence. We specifically invite the Governors to convene an immediate consultationamongthemselves with a view to devising political actions and diplomatic interventions that will facilitatethespeedy release of Mazi Nnamdi Kalu. We equally appeal to our fellow traders across the region to exercise patience and restraint inmattersthat may affect our daily trading activities. As traders, we remain the building blocks of the nationandthebackbone of Nigeria’s economy, and must therefore deem ourselves focused on activities that supportand compliment good governance through hitch-free engagement in daily business activities aswell aswatchdog activities that promote economic growth and development that practically impact thepoor.
2To our esteemed customers, both local and international, we are pleased to announcethat businessoperations have resumed fully, with trading activities now open every day of the week, includingMondays.We once again, extend our profound gratitude to Governor Soludo and the Government of AnambraState. We equally commend the leadership and traders of Onitsha Main Market Traders Association(OMATA) and the entire Anambra trading community for their cooperation and commitment. We also call on all our leaders and traders across the region, nay, Nigeria to learn lessons fromthewisdom in collaboration applied in Anambra State, by always toeing the line of peace anddialogueinallissues in order galvanize effective security that is inevitable for successful business andprotectionoflivelihoods in the nation. Signed:
For: National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS)
Dr Ken UKAOHA, Esq. National President