Oyo donates N30 m to families of deceased traders

The Oyo State government yesterday
donated N 30 million to the families of
the traders, who were killed in Borno
State by suspected members of the
Boko Haram sect.
It also reopened the Bodija Market in
Ibadan , the state capital.
The market was closed last Friday
following a clash between Yoruba and
Hausa traders.
Addressing the traders yesterday,
Governor Abiola Ajimobi described the
fight as uncalled for and urged them to
see one another as members of one
family .
He said it was not out of place for the
traders to disagree but they must learn
to settle their differences peacefully .
Ajimobi said: “ From what I have seen
here , I believe the camaraderie is still
there. There are no people in this world
that do not fight once in a while, but it
is important to reconcile and work
together .
“ We cannot prevent people from
fighting , but we can minimise the
likelihood of it happening through
regular consultations, meetings and
reconciliation . I have decided that once
in a quarter, we will go round and meet
with the joint committee of market
leaders. ”
He said the N 30 million donation was to
cushion the effects of the traders’ death
on their families .
Ajimobi said: “ We cannot pay for
people ’s lives but we can cushion the
effects of their departure by helping
their families .”
He said his administration would assist
the traders, who lost their property in
the clash .
Expressing dissatisfaction with the state
of the market, the governor said it
would be rehabilitated in conjunction
with Ibadan North Local Government.
He said : “ Bodija Market is regarded as
the largest market in the Southwest . It
is a market that is strategically ,
financially , commercially and
economically important and we must
give it the necessary support.
“ Because we are a traders- friendly
government , we have decided to fix the
market and provide facilities , such as
water, toilets and other conveniences .
We will build the roads and give traders
loans under a cooperative arrangement.”
Representatives of the traders thanked
the governor for his prompt
intervention to restore peace to the
market.
They pledged to cooperate with the
government and work together in peace.
They hailed security operatives for
maintaining law and order during the
clash .

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