The wife of the late Colonel Anthony Aboki Ochefu and founder of the renowned Mammy Market, Mama Mammy Ochefu, is dead.
she died on Wednesday at an advanced age.
She hailed from Jericho-Ugboju in the present Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Mammy Ochefu’s legacy dates back to 1955 when, as a young bride to then-Non-Commissioned military officer Anthony Aboki Ochefu, she sought to support her household by selling soft drinks and a traditional beverage known as kunu at the Army Barracks in Abakpa, Enugu.
Her business quickly gained popularity among soldiers, but complaints about hygiene led to restrictions on her operations.
Recognizing her entrepreneurial spirit, a senior officer allocated a designated space behind the barracks where she could continue her trade. What started as a single beverage stand soon expanded, as other women in the barracks joined in selling various goods, forming what became known as the “Mammy Market.”
As Colonel Ochefu was posted to different states, Mammy continued setting up similar markets, ensuring that each one remained operational even after their departure. Over time, Mammy Markets became a permanent feature in military barracks across Nigeria, serving as vital hubs for soldiers and their families.
Ochefu was shot dead at a Petrol Station in Otukpo, Benue State on 25 November 1999.
After the passing of her husband, Mammy Ochefu returned to her hometown in Otukpo, where she spent the rest of her life.
Rest in peace, Mama Mammy Ochefu.
