Have you ever wondered why they call the marketplace in Nigerian military barracks and NYSC camps Mammy Market?
Below is the history you need to know.
In 1959, Mammy Ode, a young girl from Benue State, got married to Anthony Aboki Ochefu, a young military officer.
They stayed at the Army Barracks in Abakpa, Enugu.
Mrs. Mammy Ochefu started a soft drinks business to fight boredom and make money for her family.
To sell to soldiers, she cooked gruel, which is commonly known as umu or enyi in Idoma, or kunu in Hausa.
She quickly became popular as soldiers flocked to her house to buy Kunu.
The Regiment Sergent Major (RSM) didn’t seem as excited about Mammy’s Kunu as everyone else in the barracks.
He complained the Kunu was bringing in flies, so he ordered Mrs. Mammy Ochefu to stop making and selling it.
She has no choice but to stop. Since her husband wasn’t an officer, he couldn’t question the RSM’s order.
Mrs. Mammy Ochefu was sad for weeks about her business, and so also were the Nigerian Army guys who loved her Kunu.
After so many interventions, the RSM finally gave in and told them to set aside a part of the barracks for Mrs. Mammy Ochefu to sell her Kunu.
She was so happy that she built a small shop to resume selling. Her business began to boom with her Kunu sold out before noon.
In no time, other women in the barracks joined her and started selling other stuff.
Before you could know it, this marketplace became known as Mammy Market in all military barracks and NYSC camps.
Soon, it became a rule to have markets inside or near military barracks, just for officers and men.
Today, it’s also accessible for civilians.
When next you find get to a military market or NYSC camps, do well to visit the Mammy Markets.
Thanks for reading.
OLUBOBA.