Description
Preface
The Mammy Market was not born out of luxury or privilege. It was birthed out of necessity, resilience, and love. In the barracks of Enugu’s 82 Division in the 1980s, a soldier’s wife, faced with the reality of sustaining her family, began to sell food and basic items to support others. From her courage, what began as a modest act of survival grew into a national symbol of enterprise, culture, and hope.
Today, the Mammy Market stands as more than a marketplace. It is a living testament to the courage of women, the sacrifices of military families, and the indomitable Nigerian spirit. In every stall, we see not just goods being exchanged, but stories of survival, dignity, and economic empowerment.
This book is written in honors of the women who carry the burden of sacrifice when the drums of duty call their husbands, fathers, and sons away. It is dedicated especially to the widows of our Armed Forces—women who, in the face of grief, have chosen resilience over despair, courage over fear, and strength over silence.
The Mammy Market reminds us that women are not just keepers of the home; they are also builders of nations. They embody healing in times of conflict, balance in the midst of chaos, and vision in the heart of uncertainty.
As you turn the pages of this book, I invite you to see the Mammy Market as I do: not just as a physical space of trade, but as a symbol of national security, family restoration, and shared prosperity. Let this story awaken in all of us the responsibility to support, empower, and stand with the women who stand at the very heart of Nigeria’s strength.
Author & Program Lead, Mammy Market Trade Fair