By Emmanuel Udom
Igbo Traders from the popular Ifo central market in Ogun state yesterday locked up their shops and stalls to participate in a wake-keeping programme of the slain Mrs Blessing Ogbona Eze.
It could be recalled that Mrs Eze, one of the female traders at the market, who until her death, dealt with clothes and pos business, was stabbed to death on Sallah day, this year by a suspected cultist, ex-convict and mentally challenged tout.
However, from the day she was killed, our correspondent observed that Igbo traders at the market under the leadership of one Mr Jeffrey, worked hard with the police, SSS operatives, Amotekun operatives to ensure that there was no break down of law and order possibly, leading to tribal violence, since the suspect is alleged to be a Yoruba man.
However, the wake kept for the departed trader held Thursday, August 8, at St Mary Roman Catholic Primary School, near the market, was under close security watch and supervision by the seven member police team, lead by Olabisi Kamonideen, a superintendent of police and divisional police officer of Ifo police station, as well as SSS operatives.
In the obituary banner, sighted by our correspondent, John Eze, who signed it, it reads: The Departure of A Mystical Rose, explaining that the woman was born in 1990 at Okposi in Ebonyi state and blessed with lovely children.
John admitted that he was not the husband of Blessing, even as insider sources said the husband travelled abroad recently and could not come for the burial due to the 15-year residency laws for people travelling to foreign lands. WinnersChapel l, Ifo in Ogun state, with Pastor Patrik as the district past, handled the wake keep, while Deeper Life Bible chur, Okposi in Ebonyi state, is expected to handle the burial rites, Saturday, this week.
In his brief sermon, the pastor said that all our wealth and worldly achievements are nothing when we die, except that our wealth was used for the service of God and humanity. He prayed for renewed strength for the children and family members of the departed trader.
Meanwhile, Igbo traders, after the walk, kept marching through the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway in Ifo, with pictures of the woman guided by Igbo Task Force Traders in uniform, singing and dancing.. At the top of the list of some of the Igbo shows that were under lock and key were Chidon Electronic, 190 Electronic Vantage Pharmacy, and others.
