New Market, New Hopes: Delta First Lady Unveils Issele-Uku Modern Market, Rekindling Dreams of Local Traders

On a bright and cheerful morning that felt more like a festival than an official event, joy and relief swept through the ancient town of Issele-Uku as Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, wife of the Delta State Governor, officially commissioned the much-anticipated Issele-Uku Modern Market — a transformative hub built to boost local trade and empower community livelihoods.

More than bricks and mortar, the market represents a rebirth of dreams for hundreds of traders who, for years, struggled in poorly structured spaces, under leaky roofs, and in conditions that undermined their daily hustle. Now, standing tall at the heart of Aniocha North Local Government Area, the ultra-modern facility is not just a trading center — it is a symbol of dignity, empowerment, and inclusive development.

Built in just six months, the market features 141 lock-up shops, 575 open stalls, a hygienic abattoir with capacity for 44 meat sellers, a mini bank, grinding section, warehouse, 16 toilet units, and well-equipped administrative blocks. The project, under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, exemplifies what happens when governance listens to the grassroots.

“Our market used to be in shambles,” said Mrs. Nkem Agbontaen, a widowed pepper seller in her late 50s. “During the rainy season, the place was a mess. But now, I feel like a proper businesswoman. We have roofs over our heads, toilets, even a bank inside the market. It feels like a miracle.”

For Mrs. Agbontaen and hundreds of others, this market is more than an economic space — it's a restoration of pride. Many women who make up the backbone of informal trade in the area now have a safe, clean, and organized environment to run their businesses.

Addressing an enthusiastic crowd at the commissioning ceremony, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori described the project as “a sign of progress and partnership with the people,” urging traders to treat the market as a shared legacy.

The market is not just about improved trading infrastructure. It’s about unlocking local economies. With a mini bank onsite, traders can now access financial services, save securely, and apply for loans to grow their small businesses.

The project falls under the Governor’s MORE agenda_ Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security. It is being hailed as a model for grassroots-focused governance.

Deaconess Oborevwori's presence at the commissioning was not just symbolic — it was personal. As a woman deeply involved in community outreach through her You Matter Charity Foundation, she has been vocal about the need for empowering women and local businesses.

As celebrations mellowed into prayers and thanksgiving songs, Deaconess Oborevwori reminded the traders that with new infrastructure comes shared responsibility.

“Maintain this market. Keep it clean. Protect it. Use it not just as a place of business but as a space where community thrives,” she said.

From dilapidation to dignity, from uncertainty to opportunity — the Issele-Uku Modern Market is not just a structure of walls and stalls; it is a sanctuary of hope.  And for hundreds of families, it marks a new beginning — one transaction at a time.