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Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, on Wednesday ordered
the re-opening of Bodija Market, a popular market in Ibadan, even as he
announced the donation of the sum of N30 million to the families of the traders
who recently lost their lives to the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State.
This was disclosed in a release signed by Dr Festus Adedayo the special Adviser on Media to the governor
The market had last Friday been closed by the authorities of Ibadan
North Local Government, following a clash between Yoruba and Hausa traders
which resulted in destruction of property.
Governor Ajimobi, while addressing the traders at the market,
described the fight between the Yoruba and Hausa traders as uncalled for,
saying that they should see themselves as brothers and sisters and members of
one family.
He said that it was not out of place for the traders to
disagree on one issue or the other, adding, however, that they should learn to
reconcile and close ranks in order to ensure peaceful co-existence among them.
``From what I have seen here, I believe the camaraderie is
still there. There is nobody in this world that will not fight once in a while,
but it is important to reconcile and ensure that people work together.
``We cannot ensure that people will not fight but we can
ensure that we minimize the likelihood of it happening, through regular
consultations, meetings, reconciliations and I have decided that once in a
quarter, we go round and hold meetings with the joint committee of market
leaders,’’ he said.
On the N30 million donation, he said that it was aimed at
cushioning the effects of the death of the affected traders on their respective
families.
``You cannot pay for people’s lives but at least, we can
cushion the effects of their departure by helping their families,’’ he said.
The governor also said that his administration would assist
the traders who lost property to the mayhem in order to mitigate their losses.
The governor, while expressing dissatisfaction with the state
of the market, assured the traders that a comprehensive rehabilitation would be
carried out on the market by the government, in conjunction with Ibadan North
Local Government which is overseeing the market.
``Bodija Market is regarded as the largest market in the
South-West. So it is a market that is strategically important, financially
important, commercially and economically important. And I believe we must give
it all the necessary support.
``Because we are a trader-friendly government, we have
decided to help them repair the market, provide infrastructural facilities such
as water, toilets and other conveniences. More than that, we are going to build
their roads and give them loans to trade under a cooperative arrangement,” the
governor said.
The representatives of the traders comprising two Yoruba and
two Hausas, who spoke at the occasion, thanked the governor for his prompt
intervention and his efforts at restoring peace to the market.
They all promised the readiness of the traders from all
ethnic groups to cooperate with the government and work together to restore
peace into the market.
They commended the security agencies for the maintenance of
law and order in the market during the clash.
