The newly appointed Iyaloja-General of Oyo State, Princess Folashade Azeezat Abeo Nurudeen, on Monday led hundreds of market traders, artisans and market leaders from across the state on appreciation visits to the Oyo State Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry and the Oyo State House of Assembly, following their appointments by Governor Seyi Makinde.
The delegation comprised Alhaji (Chief) Abass Yekini Oladapo, Babaloja-General of Oyo State; Alhaji S. A. Jimoh, Aare Oloja; and Chief Mrs J. T. Raimi, Asiwaju Oloja, alongside representatives of market clusters, traders and artisans from the different zones and local government areas of the state. The visits, characterised by drumming, dancing and expressions of solidarity, were aimed at appreciating the governor for the appointments and strengthening cooperation between the government and the market community.
At the Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, the Commissioner, Professor Salihu Adelabu, welcomed the delegation and urged the newly appointed leaders to promote unity, cooperation and peaceful coexistence among traders and artisans. He said the government’s decision to bring market stakeholders together was intended to strengthen the sector and ensure that the benefits of government policies reached traders across the state. Adelabu also promised to convey their requests and messages to Governor Makinde.
The commissioner emphasised the need for the market leaders to work together in the interest of the people they represent, noting that sustained cooperation with the government would help advance the welfare of traders and artisans. He commended the delegation for the visit and encouraged the leaders to use their positions to foster understanding, harmony and development within the market community.
The delegation subsequently visited the Oyo State House of Assembly, where it was received by members of the House Committee on Commerce, Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. The delegation included the committee chairman, Honourable Rasaq Adekunle Mabaje, representing Ido State Constituency; Vice Chairperson, Hon. Olufunke Olajide, popularly known as Comforter, representing Ibadan North State Constituency I; Hon. Saminu Rilwan Gbadamosi, also known as Wale Canada, representing Saki East/Atisbo State Constituency; and Hon. Dawood Olalere, popularly known as D-Al-Ameen, representing Ibadan North-West State Constituency.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Mabaje expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde for his interventions and support for the market community in Oyo State. He, however, reminded the newly appointed leaders that their positions came with significant responsibilities, urging them to sustain unity among market associations and maintain a constructive relationship with the government. He noted that bringing the various groups together would promote growth, development and more equitable access to government support.
Mabaje also explained that the House of Assembly’s legislative responsibility included making and amending laws to improve the operations of market associations. He referenced the reported expansion of market clusters from eight to 12, describing the development as part of efforts to strengthen representation and improve the administration of market activities across the state.
In her remarks, Abeo thanked Governor Makinde for what she described as an unprecedented gesture towards traders and artisans, saying the appointments had brought renewed hope to the market community. She called for direct economic benefits, including revolving loans, grants and other empowerment programmes, to help traders expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods. She also praised the governor’s administration for infrastructure development, particularly road networks, and the prompt payment of workers’ salaries, which she said generally came around the 24th or 25th of each month. “We have never had it this good in Oyo State, and no one wants to go back,” she said, while appealing for the benefits of government programmes to reach traders and artisans across all zones.
The Babaloja-General, Abass Yekini Oladapo, called for continued cooperation between the government and market leaders, stressing the need for practical support for traders and artisans.
The Asiwaju Oloja, Chief Mrs J. T. Raimi, also appealed for the requests presented by the delegation to be handled promptly, with simplified documentation and procedures where legally possible.
