Inside Ore, a melting pot of travellers, traders

Ore, a commercial nerve centre, which is located in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, is a melting point for traders and travellers. In this report, our correspondent writes on the town, populated by people from various communities across Nigeria, who came together to ply their trades. 

Located between the Western and the Eastern parts of the country, Ore, one of the ancient towns in Ondo State and Nigeria, is a ‘big world’ on its own – the gateway town prides itself as one of the largest commercial nerve centres, for the business of buying and selling. 

 The ancient town, with a very booming population of settlers, who are mostly traders across tribes and regions in the country, grew into an urban city, after the civil war in the late 1960s, where thousands of Nigerians were mowed down in the epic battle. 

Call it a melting point for trade and business transactions, Ore town was once a “theatre-of-war”, where the Nigerian troops and their Biafran opponents confronted each other in a fierce battle for the country’s territories. It was indeed the battleground where the Biafran soldiers’ advancement into Lagos, was halted by the Nigerian forces during the civil war.

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 Ore town played a significant role in the history of the country, as its strategic location between the Western and the Eastern regions helped promote unity by preventing victory to the enemy.  

Like Lagos, Ore is a commercial hub, which welcomes strangers from far and near, most young persons who move to the town with nothing become positively engaged as apprentices in different areas of trade. Clustered by different sizes of businesses, the town has continued to expand.

In the town, one could observe people united by a common purpose of business in various categories such as petty trading, hawking of sachet water, nylon bags, cold minerals, snacks among others. There are also people who deal in clothes, furniture among others. 

While everywhere is surrounded by businesses in the town, many travellers have also seen Ore, as a major destination that promotes hospitality. Both drivers and passengers’ stopover in the ancient city to either have some rest, eat or catch a glimpse of the bubbling city that never sleeps.

The town stands like a bread feeder, especially to passengers embarking on a journey, either to the West, East and the North.  

Ore market is always open for business and regulated by unions. Like an open place where the good, the bad and the ugly are encountered, both traders and visitors in the market often encounter pickpockets and mobile phone snatchers among several others. 

One of the union leaders, Mr Abiodun Fadayomi, who spoke to Weekend Trust, during a visit to the ancient town said,  “Many of those you’re seeing here are people from other parts of the country. They came into the town to do business and it is flourishing as you can see. We just have to regulate their activities to avoid unnecessary influx. We are excited that people are coming into the city. A lot of settlers are here, engaging in various businesses because this place is a gateway to other states and adjourning towns. 

“Ore town has its history far back to commerce, economic development, socialisation and hospitality, but you would agree with me that we should also do some regulations. It is often said that where there is no law, there is no sin. So, amidst our population, we are also being careful not to chase people away from here, but to know the ones who are transacting business and the exact trade they are here for.”

A trader in the town, Madam Amarachi Ogechukwu, who had been in the town for over 30 years, said her family had to settle down in Ore, as a result of their booming business. 

Ogechukwu, who lost her husband two years ago said, she had her two children in the town, due to its peaceful nature and had never regretted leaving the Eastern part of the country to settle down in Ore town. 

“I have been here for decades.  My husband came into the town from Ebonyi State to settle down here in Ore. It was here that we gave birth to our children. I have two boys. I’ve never regretted being a dweller in the town. We came here for business and we sell building materials. Truly, in this town, business flourishes and trade also moves. I can refer to Ore as a town that flows with milk and honey. 

“I lost my husband two years ago in a motor accident, while on his way to Lagos. He travelled to buy some goods for our business. The fact is that things are cheaper here in Ore town and it is one of the reasons it flourishes. People, who can’t travel to Lagos, to buy their things, also come down here to get their goods at a cheaper rate.  

“They also know they are getting the best just like Lagos. The town is just like a commercial hub and there is nothing you’re looking for here that you will not find. Everybody meets here and the town is peaceful unlike in the past. Many travellers coming from Lagos will always stop to buy things and relax. So, it is a meeting point for people,” she said. 

Asked if she would one day return to the East, the widow said, “I can’t say because our investments are all here. We built a house here in Ore. Our business is also here in the town. I have brought my younger sister, who used to live in Delta State, to this town and she is also learning a trade.

“I understand that there is no place like home, but Ore has also become my home. I can travel to Ebonyi to greet my parents and return, but I don’t think I can settle down there again. Now, I have my family and children settling down here in Ore. They are going to school here. It will be difficult for me to take a decision that will affect their future.” 

Speaking, a commuter from Lagos to Benin, Mr Osaretin Osagie, told our correspondent that he loves stopping over in Ore town to eat, rest and do some shopping for his family. 

He described Ore, as one of the very few towns, where strangers from various parts of the country, meet and also network for businesses. 

“We just had a stopover here (in Ore) to rest and eat before we continue our journey to Benin. I am used to the town and I also agree that it is a gateway to other states. I have been plying this route for many years. I have my family in Lagos, but I go to Benin, all the time for private business. Anytime, I’m travelling, we stop in Ore. 

“You will see people (passengers) buying things here. Some will buy and take home for their families. The last time we stopped here, I bought some clothes for my children. They were very cheap and good too. I had to collect the number of the man who sold the clothes for me. Up till today, I am in contact with him.  

“So, there is no way you will journey through Ore that you will not want to stop and buy something here. It’s cool and fun for me, especially when I have the money,” Mr Osagie said. 

The town is predominantly made up of Christians and Muslims. You can easily sight mosques and churches on the major streets. The religious activities have also contributed to the town’s growing economy as some of the churches have their headquarters in the city, leading to influx of persons.

Ore town also enjoys attention from the government in terms of industrialisation. The late governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, turned the town into an ‘industrial hub’, with the massive investment in infrastructure and companies. The Linyi Industrial Park in Ore is bubbly as human and vehicular traffic are common features of the landscape of this once-empty space in the woods. Also, different companies have set up plants and warehouses, while many other companies are undergoing construction. 

Going through Ore, one can see the overhead bridge and link road on the expressway to Lagos, Benin and Ondo town, which was commissioned by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. The bridge put an end to the traffic jam on the popular Ore junction and Showboy area.

An industrialist, Mr Boluwatife Ajewole, who spoke to Weekend Trust, said Ore is now an industrial centre, adding, “Beyond the commercial centre, we now have industries setting up here in Ore. They are doing their business with ease and the interesting part of it is that they are engaging people from the town. When you are measuring the growth of a society, you look at how the businesses thrive. You look at the industries or companies being set up. 

“Also, you look at the investments, both local and foreign, because these and many more will bring people to the town. These companies even source their materials locally. I mean, they return to the town because they buy from here to produce whatever they want. This is the best way to grow the town.”