According to Vanguard, the Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW), a sociocultural Yoruba organization, has threatened to close down markets in Lagos State, including Computer Village, because of what they see as some Igbo traders’ flagrant disobedience of directives from the state’s Iyaloja-General, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
The group has also urged Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the illegal activities of these Igbo traders before the situation escalates into a broader crisis in the state.
At a press conference held at the Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, YCW President Oladotun Hassan stated that the group would not tolerate any actions undermining Yoruba traditional practices, particularly the directives regarding Iyalojas and Babalojas in Lagos and other Yoruba states.
Hassan accused the Igbo traders’ association in Computer Village of disregarding a cease and desist notice related to alleged imposition of market levies, suggesting that this action was an attempt to undermine Yoruba tradition and the ancestral roles of Iyalojas and Babalojas.
He warned that if the disrespectful behavior continues, YCW would take immediate action to shut down markets.
“It should be noted that if this sacrilegious and disgraceful act persists, we shall not hesitate to commence the immediate shutting down of any market that attempts to undermine the authority of the appointees of lyaloja General Chief Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, especially Ikeja Computer Village Market in the defence of our noble traditional heritage accordingly,” he said.
He clarified that Iyalojas are traditional market heads appointed by the King, with responsibilities including administering and collecting levies from market traders.
Hassan also criticized recent actions by some Igbo-led market leaders, accusing them of attempting to gain control of Yoruba markets through fraudulent means and deceitful practices.
Hassan Said, “Regrettably, in recent times we have watched with keen interest and disaffection the overzealous moves by some Igbo-led market leaders to overtake our markets through the back door of fraudulent misrepresentation, misinterpretation harassment, intimidation and deceit.
“We therefore call on Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State to set up an emergency Commission of Inquiry to investigate the remote cause, destabilising intentions and shady orchestration of these provocative few Igbo-led elements and agent of disunity before they will intentionally stampeded us into action by unnecessarily pushing us to the wall where the afterwards consequences are meant to be negative in outcomes. God forbid!”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
