Ondo Monarch Orders Closure Of Markets, Shops For Traditional Festival

The Deji of the Akure Kingdom, Oba (Dr) Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, has ordered the closure of all markets and shops in Akure, the Ondo State capital city for the Aheregbe Festival.

Oba Aladetoyinbo said the closure of markets and shops on Friday becomes necessary as part of the age-long tradition in observance of the annual Aheregbe Festival.

In a statement issued by his chief press secretary, Michael Adeyeye, Akure residents were informed that no trading or opening of shops under any guise would be allowed during the festival on Friday.

The monarch urged market women and shop owners to kindly comply with the directive.

He, however, clarified that only pharmacies and patent medicine stores will be allowed to open during the festival.

According to the statement, “pharmacy shops and patent medicine stores are exempted from the closure of their shops during the festival. Moreover, the festival will not in any way restrict both human and vehicular movement.”