Nigeria has given the greenlight to the A.I.A Orilowo Perishable Foods Market in Owode-Onirin, located within the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Developmen
Nigeria has given the greenlight to the A.I.A Orilowo Perishable Foods Market in Owode-Onirin, located within the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State.
The state government gave the approval after a prolonged struggle. During the market’s official launch, the Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR), which played a key role in advocating for its recognition, called on market leaders and traders to comply with state regulations governing market operations.
Approval process
CHSR President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, highlighted the extensive efforts made to secure approval and emphasized that all traders must conduct their businesses in accordance with Lagos State market laws. He warned that failure to adhere to sanitation and operational guidelines could lead to market closure.
Omotehinse further stated that, although CHSR stood in solidarity with the traders throughout the approval process, the organization would not hesitate to hold them accountable if they violated the law or encroached on the rights of others.
He explained that opposition from the Agboyi-Ketu LCDA had made CHSR’s intervention necessary, ensuring that the traders were not unfairly denied registration. He acknowledged the crucial role played by the Lagos State House of Assembly, whose standing committees helped mediate and resolve the dispute.
According to the CHSR President, the eventual approval of the market serves as a landmark victory, demonstrating that due process can prevail. He praised the intervention of the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petition, and LASIEC, chaired by Ladi Ajomale, which facilitated a resolution acceptable to all stakeholders.
Following this resolution, the Orilowo Perishable Foods Market Association completed all required documentation, leading to the issuance of an official provisional approval letter from the Agboyi-Ketu LCDA on January 15, 2025.
Omotehinse commended the Lagos State House of Assembly for their swift and fair response, which restored the traders’ confidence. He also expressed appreciation for the Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Mayor Dele Osinowo, for ultimately granting the market’s approval.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Orilowo Perishable Market, Alhaji Abdullahi Isiaka Akande, reassured the public that the market would operate smoothly and inclusively, welcoming traders from all backgrounds. He emphasized that security and integrity would be the foundation of their business operations. Akande further pledged that the traders would comply with all market regulations and expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the market’s approval.