Woman who Founded Mammy Market in Nigerian military barracks dies at 86

• Maria was just weeks away from celebrating her 87th birthday in April.

Maria Ochefu, the visionary behind the renowned Mammy Market, which was set up in military barracks throughout Nigeria, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 18, 2025.

Her son, Professor Yakubu Ochefu, confirmed her passing in a phone interview on March 20. At the age of 86, she had been receiving treatment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.

She was only a few weeks shy of her 87th birthday in April.

The Mammy Market is a popular marketplace concept created to serve the needs of soldiers and their families.

In other news…. Segun Arinze, a seasoned actor, has refuted claims circulating online that he is unwell and requires financial support.

This clarification comes after images of him appearing frail with a bloated stomach went viral on social media.

In a video shared on his Instagram on Friday, Arinze confirmed that he is perfectly healthy. He noted that the photos in question were captured on a movie set and do not accurately depict his health.

Additionally, he expressed appreciation to those who contacted him with concern and cautioned the public against falling victim to scams, urging them not to donate money for his alleged medical expenses.

He said, “I want to thank my fans, friends and associates all over the world for reaching out to me through calls and WhatsApp messages to find out how I’m doing.

“As you can see, I’m very fine. Please, I am as fit as a fiddle. Those pictures flying around where taken from film set. I don’t know why some people decided to cause some mischief with them.

“I will continue to do my work, I will continue to contribute to the growth of my industry and Nigeria. God bless you. I love you.”