As part of efforts towards attaining sustainable peace and unity in the state’s markets, Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde has ordered Alhaja Saratu Aduke and Princess Afolashade Abeo to stop identifying themselves as the Iyaloja-general of the state.
Commissioner for Trade, Investment, Industry and Cooperative, Otunba Ademola Ojo conveyed the governor’s message to an expanded stakeholders’ council of the market leaders.
The governor equally told the duo to refrain from parading themselves as such pending when a final resolution would be reached and a name officially announced by the government.
The commissioner assured that the order was in line with the governor’s vision for sustainable peace in the state particularly within the market leaders council in his administration’s drive for market development.
The development comes amidst a heated leadership contention involving Alhaja Aduke and Princess Abeo, who until the governor’s order have identified themselves separately as the Iyaloja-general at both public and private functions.
Speaking at the expanded stakeholders meeting held at the conference room of the ministry, the commissioner expressed the governor’s displeasure at the crisis which had lingered for a while within the leadership of the council in the state.
He noted that the market leaders’ council and its twelve clusters have continued to deny their members under various trade associations several opportunities from both federal and state governments in terms of access to grants, loans, and other opportunities that come with being members of the association.
Ojo, who disclosed that the stakeholders meeting was at the instance of the governor himself, stressed the urgent need for government to make such a decisive move to quell the escalating tensions within Oyo State’s market leadership which has crippled its progress in advancing its course as affecting members and assured that the governor’s order is entirely aimed at restoring orderliness.
Similarly, the governor had also directed two prominent leaders of the association, the Babaloja-general of the state, Alhaji Y. K. Abass and Alhaji S. A. Jimoh, embroiled in a contentious court case relating to market leadership to withdraw the suit immediately.
The commissioner, who addressed the stakeholders in company of the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and other directors, said the move was a strategic step towards exploring channels of dialogue and peaceful resolution in the ongoing dispute.
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