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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎The Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association has officially announced the 3.0 Edition of a sporting collaboration between her and the United Nigeria Airlines. Known as the United Nigeria Airlines Ndigboamaka Traders Cup 2026 (3.0 Edition), the sporting fiesta is part of a fresh initiative to encourage her members and staff of the airline to engage in sporting activities for leisure.
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‎Speaking at the event in Lagos, National President of the traders’ group, Comrade Chinedu Ukatu described the official unveiling as a milestone.
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‎”Today, we are marking another milestone. We are bringing all 58 markets together, not in the marketplace, but on the football pitch under one umbrella of unity.”
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‎”As you all know, Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association is the apex body of 58 major markets in Lagos State with over 2 million traders. Our mandate goes beyond trade – we promote unity, peace, welfare and progress of our members and the entire Lagos trading community.
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‎Describing football as a unifying language, he said it serves as a positive engagement and a unifying force for youths in the market, hence the choice.

‎”We need to promote healthy living among our traders. We want to strengthen brotherhood among markets – Alaba, Trade Fair, Ladipo, Computer Village, Balogun, Lagos Island, ASPMDA and all others.”
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‎”I am therefore very delighted to announce that United Nigeria Airlines, a proudly Nigerian airline led by our National Grand Patron, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo (OFR), has graciously accepted to be the Title Sponsor of this tournament,” Ukatu stated.
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‎”United Nigeria Airlines is an airline that believes in connecting people and businesses – just as we connect markets and traders. Their decision to partner with us shows their deep commitment to grassroots development and the informal sector which is the real engine of Nigeria’s economy.”
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‎The tournament named United Nigeria Airlines Ndigboamaka Traders Cup 2026 has the theme Unity, Enterprise and Healthy Living.
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‎Of 58 affiliate markets,12 qualified market teams are billed to participate for a duration of six weeks.
‎Grand finale in Lagos featuring trophies, medals and cash prizes will be graced by  an expected audience of over 500,000 direct spectators and over 5 million reach via radio and social media.
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‎”This tournament will also be an opportunity to discover football talents among our traders and empower our youths.”
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‎On behalf of the National Executive of Ndigboamaka, Comrade Ukatu thanked the Chairman and Management of United Nigeria Airlines for believing in the vision.
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‎”I also thank all our media partners who have agreed to join us on this journey.”
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‎He called on all market leaders, corporate bodies and well-meaning Nigerians to come and support the laudable project.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Following heightening campaign activities preparatory to the 2027 general elections, the Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association has taken what it calls a political and economic stand as it affects the Nigerian trader.
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‎Chief Chinedu Ukatu, President of the traders’ group made the disclosure in Lagos, Monday, while speaking on the state of the nation and issues of grave concern to the Nigerian trading community.
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‎Ukatu explained that as leaders of the largest market association in West Africa representing over 58 major markets and millions of traders in Lagos State,  Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association cannot remain silent and unconcerned while her members bear the brunt of the current realities of the Nigerian nation.
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‎On the political turf, he described his Association as non-partisan.
‎”Let us state clearly once again that as an Association, we are non-partisan. We do not belong to any political party. But we will only support and endorse parties and candidates who are willing to accommodate our aims and objectives vis-à-vis protecting the interests of traders.”
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‎”As traders, we desire only one thing: stability. Business thrives where there is peace and predictability.”
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‎While commending the Federal Government on current efforts to secure the nation, the  Association singled out insecurity on the highways.

‎”Lagos to Onitsha, to Kano, to Port Harcourt has become a direct tax on trading. Our members pay heavily to move goods. Trucks are delayed, goods are lost, drivers are attacked.”
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‎Warning that the economy cannot grow when the roads that connect the markets are not safe, Ukatu appealed to the Federal and State Governments to do more to secure the trade corridors.
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‎”The trader is not a politician; he is not interested in party A or party B. He is interested in whether his goods will get to the market safely.”
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‎”We also call for an end to multiple taxation and harassment by non-state and state actors. In Lagos alone, a single container is subjected to over 15 different levies from the port to the shop. This is politically unsustainable.”
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‎Still on the economic state of the nation, the Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association Servant-Leader described the  Nigerian trader as resilient. However,  resilience has a limit, he explained.
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‎”Today, the Nigerian economy is facing a triple challenge: high exchange rate, high cost of energy, and low purchasing power.”
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‎Addressing foreign exchange and imports, he said over 70% of goods in Nigerian markets are imported.
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‎”The volatility of the Naira to the Dollar has made price planning impossible. A trader who orders goods today cannot predict the cost of clearing it tomorrow. We call on the Central Bank of Nigeria to create a special stability window for genuine importers of essential commodities and raw materials.”
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‎Traders, he regretted, run their businesses  on diesel and generators.
‎” The cost of power is now higher than the rent of our shops. We cannot compete with other nations where traders have 24-hour electricity. We urge the Federal Government to fast-track the special industrial and market power projects.”
‎Decrying mounting inflation and a reduction in purchasing power, the Association boss said their customers now  buy less.
‎”Families are cutting down on everything. When the buyer has no money, the seller cannot sell. We therefore support all policies that bring down food inflation and put money back in the pockets of ordinary Nigerians.”
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‎On rumoured protests regarding Chinese and other foreigners taking over retail trade ordinarily reserved for Nigerians, he clarified that his group never mobilized any trader to protest against Chinese citizens or any other foreigners in Nigeria as Nigeria is a hospitable nation.
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‎”However, as a trade union, we are asking for what is done all over the world. We seek the required legislation and enforcement of the Indigenous Trade Policy as regards retail trade and investment.
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‎The Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decree of 1972 now replaced by the NIPC Act, he recalled, clearly reserved retail trading for Nigerians.
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‎”Today, we see foreigners moving from wholesale and manufacturing directly into our markets to sell retail, competing with our members who cannot do the same in their countries.”
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‎”We are not asking for xenophobia; we are asking for reciprocity and protection as provided in other climes. We call on the National Assembly and the Federal Government to revisit and strengthen the Local Content and Retail Trade protection laws to save Nigerian traders from extinction,” he demanded.
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‎On political parties now canvassing for votes, the group said the traders would only support candidates or parties that will abide by specific commitments that favour the association.
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‎”For the sake of the millions of traders we represent, we shall only support any Candidate or Party that will assure us of the following:
‎1. Setting up a joint Federal and State Task Force to address multiple taxation at the ports and on the roads.
‎2. Improved security on major trade routes, especially the Lagos – Benin – Onitsha corridor.”
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‎Other commitments include providing single-digit interest rate loans for traders through the Bank of Industry and other development banks;
‎inclusion of market leaders in the formulation of trade and fiscal policies as  policy for traders cannot be made without traders.
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‎Enactment and enforcement of a clear Retail Trade Protection Law to regulate foreign participation in the retail space is also a major commitment candidates and parties seeking for votes must abide by, Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association stated.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Maritime stakeholders say to promote sustainable coastal development, attention should be focused on the legal, regulatory, security and investment frameworks required to unlock Nigeria’s blue economy potentials .
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‎Delivering the keynote address at the 4th Ehingbeti Maritime Hub Summit in Lagos, Thursday, President, Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Chief Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, said a dedicated financing mechanism was necessary to address infrastructure deficits and improve the living conditions of people in coastal communities.
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‎Anishere urged Nigeria to explore international financing opportunities through climate funds, development banks and multilateral organisations to scale up coastal resilience and community development.
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‎She said sustained investment in coastal resilience would help strengthen infrastructure, protect livelihoods and create an enabling environment for coastal communities to participate meaningfully in the emerging blue economy.
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‎Nigeria’s blue economy, she stressed, must be underpinned by effective governance as  the country needs to establish the legal and institutional conditions required for innovation, investment and sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
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‎There must be a regulatory system that provides security for investors while remaining flexible enough to encourage innovation, environmentally responsible enough to protect marine resources and inclusive enough to benefit coastal populations.
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‎Anishere also advocated improved waste-management infrastructure, sustainable fishing practices, recycling education and environmental stewardship initiatives that directly benefit coastal communities.
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‎Representing the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila said the state remained committed to an inclusive approach to blue economy development.
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‎She noted that while Ehingbeti’s history was closely associated with Lagos Island, the state’s blue economy development agenda would encompass communities across Lagos.
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‎According to her, Governor Sanwo-Olu encouraged participants to collaborate and develop a communiqué capable of advancing the blue economy agenda of Lagos State.
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‎In her speech, the convener of the Ehingbeti Maritime Hub and Founder of the Ocean Ambassadors Foundation, Hon. Olaitan Violet Williams said the Hub was established in 2023 to trace and reconnect with the historical roots of maritime activities in Lagos.
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‎According to Williams,  Ehingbeti represented an important chapter in Lagos’ evolution from its early trading history to modern-day Eko.
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‎She identified inland waterways as one of the low-hanging fruits of Nigeria’s blue economy and called for greater investment and stronger legal protection for investors.
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‎She said Nigeria’s estimated 10,000 kilometres of waterways cannot deliver their full economic potential if they remained largely unnavigable.
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‎The Chairman of the occasion and Chairman of the NIWA Governing Board, Alhaji Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, represented by NIWA Board Member, Capt. Tajudeen Alao, commended the Convener for her commitment to the development of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
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‎Shagari stressed that coastal communities must remain central to the implementation of blue economy policies, while advocating an appropriate legal framework for the development of Nigeria’s littoral states.
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‎Representing the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, Rear Admiral N.C. Okon called for stronger maritime regulation and effective enforcement of existing laws.
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‎Okon identified “sea blindness” as a factor limiting Nigeria’s ability to fully harness its maritime potential and stressed that collaboration among government agencies, coastal communities and development partners was essential.
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‎He noted that a thriving blue economy could not be sustained amid insecurity, environmental degradation, illicit activities and regulatory uncertainty.
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‎The Naval representative reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to providing the secure maritime environment required for commerce, investment and sustainable exploitation of Nigeria’s maritime resources.
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‎Also speaking, Ekeoma Ezeibe, Chairman, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), identified insurance as a critical component of maritime and blue economy development.
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‎She said adequate insurance protection was necessary to safeguard maritime assets, infrastructure and businesses against the multiple risks associated with the sector.
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‎A major highlight of the summit was the official launch of the 28 Inland Waterways Investment Jigsaw, an initiative designed to highlight viable investment opportunities across Nigeria’s inland waterways and provide a structured pathway for private-sector participation.
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‎The initiative is expected to support efforts to identify investment opportunities across the country’s inland waterways while encouraging greater private-sector involvement in water transportation and other marine-related businesses.
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‎The 4th Ehingbeti Maritime Hub Summit brought together government representatives, maritime professionals, security stakeholders, legal practitioners, insurers, traditional rulers, academics, private-sector operators and representatives of coastal communities.
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‎The summit reaffirmed the need for stronger regulation, maritime security, sustainable financing, infrastructure development and community inclusion as Nigeria works to translate its blue economy potential into sustainable economic and social development.
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