Economy

We didn’t take over Bodija Eid Ground – Oyo Govt.

By Web News 695

The Oyo State Government has explained that it took the decision to develop the 11,435.711-square-metre open field in Bodija as a recreation facility in order to serve the purpose of the original masterplan of the area and cater to the recreational needs of Bodija Estate.
It maintained that part of the land, which was designed as a recreation centre since the creation of Bodija Estate was used to build a Mosque and a church, while the government is only converting the remaining land to a modern recreation facility in line with the master plan.

“The proposed facility, which is under construction, shall have a FIFA-standard football pitch, tennis court, swimming pools, children’s play areas, water slide, water world, food court and other recreational facilities befitting of a prestigious Estate like Bodija,” the government said.
A statement by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, indicated that the explanation became necessary following claims by an Islamic organisation that the government took over an Eid Ground in Bodija.
He explained that the development will not affect the Mosque and the Church which have been built on the original land of the recreation centre, adding that the government’s plan was to upgrade the facility into a modern recreational facility.
The new construction will not in any way tamper with the existing Mosque in the area, adding that a Church near the same parcel of land was also not affected by the development, the statement said.
According to the government, it placed the advertisements for the project, to attract interested, tested and qualified investors and developers in major newspapers on August 27, 2019, wondering why after close to two years, a group would suddenly try to misconstrue the well thought out plan to upgrade a facility that belongs to the government.
It warned the residents of the State to disregard attempts to disrupt the peace of Oyo State through religious incitements, stating that the proposed development of the facility does not stop anyone from practising his/her religion.
The statement read: “The Bodija Recreation Centre is an open field located Beside Housing Roundabout, in the heart of Bodija Estate, Ibadan, which has been used over the years as a sports and recreational facility by the residents of the estate.
“The field, measuring 11,435.711 square metres, was approved as a football field and tennis court by Oyo State Housing Corporation in the master plan of the estate, and has been used for sporting and recreational activities for many years.
“The Oyo State Government, in the drive, vision and mission to develop the facility into a modern recreational edifice, placed advertisements in major newspapers on August 27, 2019, to attract able, viable, tested and qualified investors and/or developers for public private partnership in the attainment of its vision for the benefit of the teeming populace of the State.
“The goal of the Government is to utilize the Build, Operate and Transfer modality in partnership with Messrs Reform Construction Limited, one of the foremost sports facility companies in Nigeria for the design, construction, commissioning and management of Bodija Recreation Ground into a modern, self-sustaining, multi-purpose sports and recreational centre.
“By the Public Private arrangement, Bodija Recreation Centre is to become one of the foremost sports and recreation centres in the entire Ibadan city with a project cost well above N500 Million.
“The sport-loving administration of His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde, in Oyo State, is not only delivering a remodelled Lekan Salami in Adamasingba, but also mini stadia in various locations across the State such as Ibadan, Oyo, Eruwa, Ibadan, Saki, Ogbomoso and Iseyin.
“It is pertinent to point out that the proposed development of the Recreation Centre doesn’t in any way affect Bodija Central Mosque and the Church beside it.
“The peace-loving people of Oyo State are enjoined to disregard every attempt to disrupt the fragile peace of our dear State.”

Signed
Taiwo Adisa
Chief Press Secretary to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde
July 17, 2021.

Economy

Bodija Rice Traders Protest Invasion of Shops by Customs Service

By Web News 764

Rice traders at the popular Bodija market have protested to the Agodi Secretariat demanding justice on the carting away of hundred bags of rice by the Nigeria Custom Service, NCS, in the early hours of Thursday April 1st, 2021.

The protesters, who marched to the Agodi Secretariat in sorrowful look, said about 88 shops were burgled by officials of NCS at the Bodija market  after all traders had closed for the day and gone to sleep.

Some of the affected traders narrated their ordeal, noting that the money invested in the businesses was loan yet to be repaid

They called on governments at all levels to assist them on the matter

In an interview with the Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Oyo/Osun, Mr Wey Kayode who confirmed the incident, said it was a normal routine operation carried out by the headquarters of NCS in Abuja.

Mr Wey explained that the operation was totally based on standard regulation to rid the country of contraband goods.

On the allegation that officials of NCS took about N27m in three shops with the imported rice,Mr Wey maintained that only imported rice were carted away.

Speaking with the aggrieved traders, Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, Mr Sunday Odukoya, explained that Oyo State Government had intervened on the development which revealed that the operation was not done by the Nigeria Custom Service Oyo/Osun command.

Mr Odukoya appealed for calm among the affected traders adding that the state government would further look into the matter.

It was reported that men of Nigeria Customs Service had invaded the Akala complex of Bodija market at 1am on Thursday and carted away hundreds of bags of imported rice.

Iyabo Adebisi

Economy

Buyers Heave Sigh of Relief as Prices of Consumables Drop Gradually

By Web News 703

Buyers of food items in Ibadan are beginning to heave a sigh of relief over the sloppy drop in the prices of food stuffs at various markets across the metropolis.

Our correspondent, Dayo Adu who observed commercial activities at Bodija Market reports that perishables like pepper, tomatoes and onions are now affordable while prices of yams, grains and meat are still high.

Although no truck was sighted offloading food stuff the market place, there was a beehive of activities as buying and selling were at its peak.

Some buyers, who spoke with Radio Nigeria, said although they could not meet up with their projected purchasing lists, they anticipated downward review of the prices to make cost of living bearable.

Traders who deal in perishables, meat and yams, explained that supplies were still inadequate, noting that they had to tip some transporters to fast track the delivery process of their goods.

Speaking, Secretary, Ibadan Food Stuff Sellers Association, Bodija Market Mrs. Toyin Alayande explained that members of the association incurred huge losses due to the stoppage of food supply chain at Jebba.

Mrs. Alayande, who expressed delight at the reopening of Jebba to allow surplus movement foods from the north down to the southwest, urged political leaders to leverage on the strength of the ethnic diversity in the nation, saying no tribe is indispensable.

As of the time of filing this report, small basket size of tomatoes now goes for seven hundred naira as against the two thousand five hundred naira it was sold a week ago.

Pepper sells for one thousand naira as against the former price of two thousand. However, prices of onions, grains and yams are yet to reduce. 

Adedayo Adu

Yoruba

Awon Onisowo Ke Gbajare Lori Aita Oja Bi Odun Ileya Se Ku Die

By Web News 1744

Pelu bi ose ku ojo mesan si Odun Ileya, awon ountaja l’oja Ogunpa, Mokola, Bodija, Aleshinloye tofimo Oja Sasa n’ilu ‘badan ni won ti so pe oja ko ta rara.

Okan l’ara ountaja aso, Arabirin Asisat Bashir, l’asiko ton ba akoroyin Oodua tiletoko s’oro, salaye pea won ero kan nkoja lati mo on ti won nta ni, won ni awon nduro de owo osu, ki won to le l’agbara lati ra nkankan fun Odun Ileya.

Ontaja miran, Arabirin Abiola Ogunniyi salaye pe itankale arun Covid-19 lo fa ipenija t’opo nkoju, owa ro ijoba ni gbogbo eka lati gbe eto kale ti yo mu awon eyan kuro ninu ise on osii.

Babatunde Salaudeen/Taiwo Akinola

Health

Facemasks: Oyo to Begin Arrests over Non-Compliance

By Web News 1116

Residents of Oyo State who refuse to comply with the COVID-19 protocol of compulsory use of face mask in public places will be arrested and prosecuted from next month.

A coordinator of enforcement from the Oyo State COVID-19 Emergency Operation Centre and Risk Communication Pillar, Mrs Kunmi Oladipo said this during an enforcement mission to Bodija Market in Ibadan.

Mrs Oladipo lamented that the state had recorded low level of compliance on the wearing of face mask in public places, particularly markets.

She emphasized the importance of the directives on Covid-19 protocol as the battle against coronavirus was still ongoing. 

Mrs Oladipo explained that the enforcement team would within one month sensitize, persuade and ensure compliance, but if there was no appreciable improvement, the team would embark on arrest and prosecution. 

Similarly, President of Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, Tijani Adegoke who was on the enforcement team, said the state government would not relent in its effort at ensuring compliance to COVID-19 directives in public places.

Mr Tijani said the enforcement team had started restraining people without facemask from gaining access into the markets. 

Some of the traders while lauding government’s efforts in tackling Covid-19, promised to obey the directives on wearing of facemask as well as provision of hand washing facilities at various points in the market.

Iyabo Adebisi

Economy

9 Days to Eid-el-Kabir: Traders Complain of Low Patronage

By Web News 919

Nine days to Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, traders in Ogunpa, Mokola, Bodija, Aleshinloye and Sasa markets, have lamented low patronage.

One of the fabric traders, Miss Asisat Bashir, while speaking with Radio Nigeria said people have been window shopping, as they claimed to be waiting for monthly salary before they could purchase anything for Sallah.

Another trader, Mrs Abiola Oguniyi explained that the Covid-19 pandemic had also contributed to the hardship of the masses, urging government at all levels to alleviate them of their poor condition by extending more financial palliatives to people.

Meanwhile, prices of some perishable goods were still at affordable prices, as goods like beans, is sold for five hundred naira per plastic, while a bag of rice is sold from twenty-four thousand naira.

Also, at the ram stands, the sellers were optimistic that sales would be better next week.

Reports say Friday, 30th of July had been slated for the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir this year.

Taiwo Akinola

Politics

Aare Latosa LCDA Chairman Suspends Bodija Market Executives

By Web News 1428

The Executive Members of the famous Bodija Market have been suspended until further notice over allegations of extortion leveled against them.

Caretaker Chairman, Are Latosa Local Government Development Area, Ibadan North, Samonda, Prince Adewale Oshoniyi disclosed this while speaking with government house correspondents at Agodi, Ibadan.

Prince Oshoniyi explained that the action became necessary as a result of a preliminary investigation which indicted some executive members of the market union association in partnership with some unscrupulous elements are collecting illegal daily levies from Bodija traders in the name of the government.

The chairman explained that the miscreants extorting the traders have been arrested by men of the Nigeria Police, Bodija Police Division.

Prince Oshoniyi admonished traders at the Bodija Market to desist from roadside trading reiterating that whoever was caught in the act would be seriously dealt with.

Iyabo Adebisi