Maria Ochefu, pioneer of ‘Mammy Market,’ passes away at 86 after a brief illness. Yakubu Ochefu, the son of the legendary pioneer of Mammy Market confirmed her death on Thursday, 20th of March.
Maria Ochefu started the well-known Mammy Market found in military market barracks across Nigeria.
According to Yakubu Ochefu, she died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday after receiving treatment at Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
Maria Ochefu married Colonel Anthony Ochefu, a former military governor of Enugu State. As a result of her innovative idea, she became widely recognised for creating the Mammy Market, a concept that grew into an essential part of military life across the country. In fact, her concept became a permanent part of Nigerian military life.
The Story of Mammy Market and The Woman Behind It.
Ochefu, fondly called Mammy, was born on April 10, in Otukpo, Benue State. Growing up, she was one of 14 siblings and grew up in the prison yards of Otukpo, where her father worked.
Her birth name, Mammy means “mother” in English (or Enenu in Idoma). As she grew older, she adopted the name Maria, which stayed with her for life.
At the age of 14, she married Anthony Ochefu, a young corporal in the Nigerian Army, after being introduced by his older brother. By 16, she had her first child, eventually raising seven children.
What started as a modest kunu stall grew into a business model replicated in every military barracks across Nigeria.
The soldiers built stalls for her to continue her trade each time Ochefu and her husband were transferred to a new location.
Upon her husband’s retirement, the ever-industrious Ochefu settled in Lagos and expanded her entrepreneurial journey.
Consequently, she established a pure water factory and a supermarket, legally registered as Mammy Market.
Her concept became a permanent part of Nigerian military life and, by 1973, was also introduced into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps.
Mammy Markets remain important in military barracks and NYSC orientation camps. It serves as a trusted spot for food, drinks, and supplies.
For over six decades, Ochefu’s simple idea has endured, leaving behind an unshakable legacy. Ultimately, the name Mammy Market will forever be a part of Nigeria’s history.