A Yoruba socio-cultural group, Yoruba Council Worldwide, has threatened to shut down markets in Lagos State, including the popular Computer Village, due to alleged disrespect for the Iyaloja-General of the state, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, by some Igbo traders.....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
The group has called on Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the actions of these traders before the situation worsens.
Speaking to journalists at the Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Wednesday, the President of YCW, Oladotun Hassan, expressed the group’s concerns about what they see as attempts to undermine Yoruba traditional practices. “We will not tolerate deliberate acts to undermine Yoruba traditional practices by disregarding directives on Iyalojas and Babalojos in markets in Lagos and other Yoruba states in the country,” Hassan said.
Hassan accused the Igbo traders association in Computer Village of ignoring a cease and desist notice related to the Iyaloja-General’s alleged imposition of market levies. He stated, “The action of the Igbo traders is aimed at attacking Yoruba tradition and custom through undermining the ancestral roles of Iyalojas and Babalojas in Yorubaland.”
He warned that if the situation continues, YCW would take action. “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 Iyaloja-General Chief Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, especially Ikeja Computer Village Market in the defence of our noble traditional heritage accordingly.”
Hassan further criticized the Igbo traders, stating, “We are aghast and inundated with some elements of the Igbo extraction who have a premeditated evil agenda to cause a war of attrition, mayhem, and strive being calculated to destroy our age-long traditional rites and customs on the ancestral roles of Iyaloja and Babaloja ancient titles in Yorubaland.”
Explaining the role of Iyalojas in Yoruba land, Hassan said, “In Yoruba Land, Iyalojas are the traditional heads of the market institution being installed by the King with statutory rites and responsibilities to administer and charge levies on all the market women and men who are trading in all types of merchandise, goods, and services.”
He expressed disappointment over the recent actions of some market leaders. “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.”
Hassan urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to act swiftly, stating, “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 agents of disunity before they will intentionally stampede us into action.”
Hassan concluded by announcing plans for a summit to unite Yoruba monarchs under the leadership of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. The summit, titled “Monarchs 2024,” is scheduled to take place in Lagos State in November this year.
