Leadnaija
Tensions flared in the bustling Onitsha electronics market on Thursday as a protest broke out following allegations that a trader (popularly called “Oga”) failed to fairly settle his apprentice after years of dedicated service.
Eyewitnesses told LeadNaija that the apprentice, who had reportedly served the trader faithfully for several years under the widely respected Igbo apprenticeship system, was offered a settlement of just ₦1 million upon completing his service.
Angered by what they described as “a betrayal of tradition and justice,” fellow traders and sympathizers in the market staged a protest, demanding a fair and dignified compensation for the apprentice, known locally as a “Nwa Boi.”
Chants and placards echoed through the market, with traders calling on market leaders and elders to intervene and ensure that justice is served.
“This is not just about one boy. It’s about preserving our culture of rewarding hard work,” one of the protesting traders told LeadNaija.
As of press time, the market leadership had called for an emergency meeting to mediate the matter and calm the growing unrest. Security presence has also been increased to prevent escalation.
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