Trade Fair: IFU Seeks Partnership To Empower Ikwerre Traders In Rivers
3 min read
Edith CHUKU
An association in the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, known as Ikwerre Federated Union, IFU, has announced its readiness to host trade fair at the Obiri Ikwerre premises, in Port Harcourt, on April 11, 2022.
According to IFU, the exhibition will encourage natives of Ikwerre land to go into trading of goods, mostly farm produces. They also believe that networking among exhibitors and buyers will increase patronage, as well as create value.
The union encouraged traders to take advantage of the forthcoming event to network, sell their farm produces and connect to a larger market, while stressing that buyers are expected to utilize the opportunity to purchase Ikwerre farm produce at discounted prices.
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Ahead of the exhibition, IFU has appealed to the leadership and members of Ikwerre Traders, in Rivers State, to synergize with them to achieve the desired success as regards the exhibition.
The group also called for partnership from relevant agencies, stakeholders, chiefs, elders and opinion leaders in the state, stressing that its goal is to see ways they can render financial support to indigenous traders during the exhibition.
IFU made this appeal during a meeting with the leaders of the Traders Association and members of the press, at the Obiri Ikwerre hall in Port Harcourt.
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During his address, the IFU president, Dr. Paul Wowhor said, “the need for the trade fair is not only hitched on showcasing our farm produce as Ikwerre people, it is also not to just attract people to the trade fair with reduction in prices of commodities.
“This event is majorly to see ways we can financially support our people who are traders, mostly those selling Ikwerre farm produces. We will like to create a loan scheme; we are likely to hold activities like raffle draw at the trade fair.
“Our utmost desire is to encourage Ikwerre people who are into agriculture, Ikwerre farmers, fishermen, hunters, but majorly those who trade farm produces. Come with your farm produce, market them, sell and you might be lucky to be among those who will receive financial support.”
Wowhor continued that, “there is nothing that cannot grow in Ikwerre land, Ikwerre will have to begin to produce everything. I am not seeing the whole world coming to this market, but we are ready to start somewhere, to do something, something that can make us relevant, a reference point for Ikwerre Federated Union.”
In his response, President of Ikwerre Traders, Deacon Kenneth Eze, commended IFU for the initiative which he described as a good step in the right direction, even as he promised that, “Ikwerre Traders will support and ensure that this trade fair becomes a huge success. We have heard, we will have to report back to our union, be sure that we are with you in this.”
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Some of IFU officials who were present during the meeting include, Head of Operation, Mr. Ejikeme Wokedi, IFU Director of Logistic and Operations, Kingsley Wechenwu, Director of Publicity, Osigwe Promise Christopher, Director of Education & Social Enlightenment, Mrs. Lollybest Chibuike, among others.