Otti condoles with Aba traders over colleague’s killing

AS the remains of the 23-year-old apprentice-trader, Onyinyechi Awuzie, were interred over the weekend in his hometown, Umuaka, in Imo State, Dr. Alex Otti has condoled with the traders and the deceased’s family, stating that no life is worth losing, especially considering how the boy died.

Awuzie was reportedly killed by a stray bullet fired by security operatives who invaded the Ariaria International Market, Aba. In his condolence message, Otti, who sent a delegation to the burial, described the incident that led to Awuzie’s death as tragic and unfortunate. According to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in the April 2015 elections in Abia State, the death was a reminder of the sufferings that traders in the commercial city go through daily to eke a living. He regretted that as the only son of his parents, the deceased’s death has left a vacuum that would be difficult to fill in his family and the entire Umuaka community.

Nevertheless, he urged the bereaved family not to mourn endlessly as people without hope. “By his death, Abia and Imo states have lost a budding trader, who had the prospect of contributing to the socio-economic development of the sister-states and Nigeria in general,” he said.

He further encouraged the late boy’s family, master and all traders to repose their trust in God for divine consolation, praying that such incident would never be experienced again.

Responding, the deceased’s father, Obiwuru Awuzie, on behalf of his family, expressed gratitude to Otti for identifying with them at their period of grief. Also, the Ariaria Book and Stationery Traders Union, speaking through Chibuike Asiegbu, said it was consoling that Otti commiserated with them as they buried one of their own.

Similarly, the deceased’s master, Ethel Ugha, said that Otti’s love, concern and solidarity with them would live with them. He described Onyinyechi as intelligent, hardworking and trustworthy.