Govt Should Recognize Market Leaders, Says Olowookere, Ondo Iyaloja-General

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

The National Association of Traders And Market Leaders Council of Nigeria (NATAMLC), Ondo State Chapter, on Thursday, tasked the state government to ensure that all entitlements due to market leaders are henceforth given to recognized Iyalojas in their various local government rather than to any individual who would not allow the dividends to get across to those who have worked for it.

The Iyaloja-General of Ondo State, Chief (Mrs.) Ruth Olowookere, made this known in Akure at a meeting with leaders of the association across the 18 Councils of the state.

According to Mrs. Olowookere, the meeting was to deliberate on issues that will move the association forward promising that the group will continue to rally support for success of the government.

“In the last three years administration of Akeredolu, we have not benefitted any opportunities and this time around we want to tell the government that we are on ground.

“As we needs government assistance as Iyalojas, government too needs our own support this time around. Government should recognize our market leaders.

“This association has been in existence for the past twenty years ago and God is sustaining us without any crisis”, she said.

Olowookere, a Business Mogul in the state, declared that she remains the authentic and legally recognised Iyaloja-General of Ondo state contrary to a claim by one Mrs. Iwalola Akinfemiwa who is purportedly parading herself as the head of market women in the state.

She said out of the 18 local government areas of Ondo State, she has 15 LGs under her control while Mrs. Akinfemiwa has just 3 LGs to her credit.

The Iyaloja-General of Ondo state, however, assured the government of her readiness to work and support the government.

‘Madam Do-Good’, posited that the association will not allow anybody to destroy the association saying the body is bigger than any individual in the state.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu while speaking at the meeting said government recognizes their existence adding that their welfare was very paramount to the state government.

Akeredolu, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Market Matters, Mr. Raji Sikiru however, urged the association to go and settle their crisis saying that government was not interested in any crisis within the association.

“We want peace to reign among you, we want you to be united, we don’t want any division within the group at all. If you want your association to move forward, don’t allow destructive fellows to scatter you”, Akeredolu said.