Soun relaunches Ibapon market, 50 shops solicited from Irorun Agbe

Soun relaunches Ibapon market, 50 shops solicited from Irorun Agbe

Jeremiah OYELEKE

Ibapon Market in Ogbomoso South local government area of Oyo state was Thursday relaunched by the Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III. The monarch who was away on vacation was represented by the Areago of Ogbomosoland High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin.

This is as Prince Tunde Aremu CEO of Irorun Agbe Farm Booster Nig. Ltd., did not object when the chairman of Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaaye, home headquarters, Prince Aderemi Olude, appealed to his generosity towards constructing 50 shops in the market.

The market was founded as a farmers’ market years ago but vicissitudes of life led to slump in activities, causing discontinuation, on more than two occasions.

The new push by Oba Olaoye to reviltalize the economy of Ogbomoso zone was the impetus for the re-inauguration of the market.

“The market slumped but we in line with the new impulse to energize Ogbomoso economy especially market development by His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III Ogbomoso Parapo Home headquarters under my leadership stimulated the rebirth of the market,” Prince Olude told ogbomosoinsightonline.com in an interview.

“So, we met with the committee on the market and we involved market leaders in Ogbomoso South and other local governments in Ogbomoso generally on the importance of resuscitating the market,” Olude further said.

High Chief Otolorin, who represented the Soun, expressed joy at the development saying it aligns with the aspiration of the monarch in igniting economic boom in Ogbomoso zone.

“We are happy because it is another step in the development of Ogbomoso,” Areago said. “If we have thriving markets, it will boost our economy, people will have work to do, there will be decrease in rate of robbery and other crimes, and it will shore up our population.

“We envision large markets, we want Ogbomoso to become a transhipment hub sort of, because of our location, a transhipment hub where goods from the north and south of the country will be exchanged. This Ibapon market is thus an inch move towards the goal.”

The Oba therefore emphasized cooperation and love in the market and for the traders to shun jealousies and rivalries ”even though you sell the same things. Learn from the Igbo traders.”

Prince Aremu a.k.a. Irorun Agbe speaking said he was always happy associating with farmers and the less privileged and committed to contributing to their welfare and upliftment.

“I am always willing to assist the farmers and the masses. I have constructed bridges, donated electricity transformers, provided boreholes and did other things to assist people at the base of economic rung,” Irorun Agbe said.

He expressed confidence that the market would flourish this time while urging “cooperation, love, hardwork and patience” just as he counseled against exploitative tendencies against the traders.

Prince Olude’s appeal to his (Irorun Agbe) generosity for construction of fifty (50) shops in the market received the nod of the philanthropist. “Prince Aremu (l only met him few days ago when we went to inform him of the plan to reopen the market), Ogbomoso solicits your assistance in building 50 shops in this market. Thank you.”

Waving off a suspension order by (a section) of the national exco recently, describing it as unconstitutional, Olude promised Ogbomoso Parapo home headquarters would also build shops in the market though failing to give a specific number.

Ikolaba of Ibapon, Chief Samuel Adebayo Ayano a.k.a. Samaday, who represented the Onibapon, Oba Abdulwahab Akanji Ashifat, commended the initiative, remarking, “No money will be demanded for land space and it will be a daily market of fresh farm produce.”

Chief Mrs Omolara Omoseyin, Iyaloja Ogbomoso South local government, assuring the market would thrive pleaded for provision of security, toilets and boreholes in the market.

Other speakers like the Prince Kehinde Adegbola (chairman market association Ogbomoso, youth wing), Chief Isaac Olamoyegun (representing chairman Baale Agbe in Council, Chief Olayiwola Akanmu), Oyetunde Ajagbe (Babaloja Ogbomoso South local government) and others all lauded the effort and expressed assurance it would become a popular market as traders are charged on moderate prices and honesty.

Alaroje of Aroje, Prince Basiru Oyelowo, Rev’d Gbenga Ogunniyi, Pastor Amole among others also graced the historic occasion.