The Olojudo of Ido-Osun, Oba Olayinka Ishola Jokotola, has reaffirmed his commitment to boosting the local economy with the reopening of the community’s popular Ojude Oba Central Market and the laying of the foundation for a modern market extension.
The event, held on Wednesday, attracted traditional and religious leaders, market women, traders and residents, marking a renewed effort to strengthen commercial activities and create more economic opportunities in the community.
Speaking at the ceremony, Oba Jokotola said the reopening of the market and the planned expansion of its facilities formed part of his vision to position Ido-Osun as a major commercial destination.
He explained that the central market would operate every five days, while the proposed shops would provide traders with more convenient spaces to conduct their businesses.
“On behalf of all the indigenes of Ido-Osun, we have relaunched this market to hold every five days. We also considered the need to provide shops within the market, and we have laid the foundation for them. In the next few weeks, we will commission and allocate them to our people,” the monarch said.
He added that the community hoped to make the market a recognised trading centre across Nigeria within the next five years.
“Our aim is to make this market known across the country within the next five years. We already have Hausa traders bringing their farm produce here, and I pray that God grants our wishes,” he said.
The traditional ruler also appealed to government institutions and political office holders to support the initiative, noting that sustained investment and cooperation would help stimulate economic growth in the community.
“We are using this opportunity to call on the government and political office holders to support us in any way they can so that our economy can continue to grow. I believe they will respond positively to our appeal,” he added.
Oba Jokotola further urged indigenes of Ido-Osun, both at home and in the diaspora, to support the initiative by patronising the market and contributing to its development.
He disclosed that consultations had been held with traders to encourage reasonable pricing and ensure that essential commodities remained available and affordable to residents and other buyers.
In her remarks, the Iyaloja of Ido-Osun and Aje Market, Alhaja Idiat Agboola, expressed gratitude to God and the traditional ruler for the reopening of the market, describing it as the fulfilment of a long-awaited aspiration.
“I am very happy that what we have been expecting for a long time has finally happened. We give thanks to Almighty God and our Kabiyesi for making this possible today,” she said.
Agboola explained that the central market would operate on a five-day trading cycle, while the Aje Market would hold every Monday.
She encouraged residents and members of the public to patronise both markets, assuring them that traders would offer goods at affordable prices.
The reopening of Ojude Oba Market, alongside plans for its expansion, marks a renewed effort to strengthen Ido-Osun’s traditional trading activities, attract more traders and widen economic opportunities for residents.