•Pass Vote of Confidence in Chief Mrs Justina Ogundoyin
•Insist Traders Enjoy Unity, Peace Under Ogundoyin’s Leadership
The leaders of Coalition of Traders, Artisans, Market Men and Women in Oyo State have reaffirmed that Chief (Mrs.) Justina Iyabode Ogundoyin remains the Acting Iyaloja-General of Oyo State.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan on Sunday after emergency meeting of the leaders of various bodies that formed the coalition, the chairman of the coalition, who also is the Southwest Coordinator of National Association of Nigeria Traders (NANT) insisted nothing has changed from the initial plan reached by the Congress of Babaloja-Generals and Iyaloja-Generals in Oyo State.
“Chief (Mrs.) Justina Ogundoyin remains the Acting Iyaloja-General of Oyo State, while the Iyaloja-General in waiting is the Otun Iyaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje. Ogundoyin will continue in acting capacity till the installation of the substantive Iyaloja-General,” Danjuma stated.
Meanwhile, the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting stated as follows:-
“That we the coalition of traders, artisans, market men and women in Oyo State stand on the agreement reached by us on Tuesday 16th of March, 2021 at the Trans Amusement Park, Opposite Bodija International Market, Ibadan, Oyo State, as stated below:-
1. That Traders, Artisans, Market Men and Women are business owners who raise funds privately or secure loans to fund their businesses, therefore they have right to determine how their businesses are run without interference from any individual, group or body.
2. That associations of Traders, Artisans, Market Men and Women are registered in Nigeria under Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), they are business entities, therefore they are not under traditional institution.
3.That the positions of Babaloja-General, Iyaloja-General, Iyaloja, Babaloja and any other post in the Traders, Artisans, Market Men and Women Associations are not traditional titles, hence the rights to appoint persons to these positions remain with members of these associations.
4. That in view of several petitions and protests received concerning the position of Iyaloja-General of Oyo State, the Congress has decided to make the position rotational as against lifetime that it was before.
5. Due to the development on rotation of Iyaloja-General’s position, the Congress has approved two (2) terms of four (4) years each. The second term is not automatic but subject to the performance of the Iyaloja-General and majority decision.
6. That the congress agreed that the first candidate to be installed as Iyaloja-General of Oyo State after the decision on rotation of the position must be the current Otun Iyaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje, while ballots will be used to determine how the remaining zones will stand on the queue.
7. That the Congress of Babalojas and Iyalojas in Oyo State also reaffirmed that Chief (Mrs.) Justina Iyabode Ogundoyin remains Acting Iyaloja-General of Oyo State pending the installation of the substantive Iyaloja-General of Oyo State.
8. That the leaders of the coalition expressed vote of confidence in Chief (Mrs.) Ogundoyin and also appreciated her honesty and sincerity as the acting Iyaloja-General.
In addition, a member of the coalition, Alhaji Dauda Oladepo warned those planning to manipulate the ignoramuses among the members to rubber stamp and install illegal candidates to positions in any of our association or union not to embark on the perilous journey, because at the end all their efforts would be in futility.
