Be conscious of security threats – Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu to market leaders

…tasks them to support efforts to make Lagos markets meet international standard

…concerted efforts needed for noticeable compliance – Lagos SA

By Moses Adeniyi

Lagos State First Lady, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has called on market stakeholders in Lagos to become responsive and sensitive to security concerns, mentioning that such was important to avert attack mishaps, as security is “everybody’s business.”

The First Lady who spoke at a one-day seminar organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) on “Market Sanitation, Security and Safety for Market Leaders”, in Sururlere division of Lagos State, charged the market stakeholders to join up in the system of intelligence gathering by divulging information of security threats to the appropriate channels.

“We have purposely included the security and safety of our markets as part of the topics at this seminar for obvious reasons that security is everybody’s business, and as market men and women and community leaders, we must be conscious of the need to make our security a priority.

“When we see something, let us not only say something but do something to ensure that a potential security threat is nipped in the bud,” she told the market stakeholders.

Reiterating that there must be proper identification of all traders and people trading in the market, she said monitoring and evaluation of security activities in the market “must be a daily affair and also in every community.”

“As market men and women, you must take ownership of security in your markets, and you have to speak up and speak out loud and clear when you suspect any suspicious movement or activity around you,” she charged them.

She further charged them to be sensitive to prevent fire outbreaks in the markets.

This is just as she called on them to instill sanity in markets across Lagos, mentioning such was essential to take the profile of market situations in Lagos beyond the present state to meet international standards.

Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairperson of COWLSO, said it was essential to reject unhygienic practices in their entirety including “indiscriminate dumping of waste, blocking of drainages, and street trading, among others.”

According to her, the seminar was in furtherance of efforts to ensure that market activities are conducted in a hygienic, safe, and secure environment.

According to her, the sensitisation was held in necessity to ensure that market activities are conducted in line with international best practices, especially as they relate to sanitation, security, and safety.

“The truth is that it is in our collective interest to imbibe international best practices in administering markets and our environment,” she said.

She mentioned that empirical evidence have shown that there is a nexus between the state of an environment and the health of residents in such an environment.

“Garbage in, Garbage out; it is the way you treat your environment that it responds to you. This is why hygiene in the market becomes extremely important as all residents are connected one way or the other.

“We know that a lot of waste is generated from our markets and as market leaders, it is important that we must reject unhygienic practices in their entirety including indiscriminate dumping of waste, blocking of drainages, and street trading, among others.

“The issue of hygiene and cleanliness in our markets is paramount, and every important and necessary step must be taken by all stakeholders to inspire a healthy and secure marketplace,” she said.

In his address, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert, said organising such programme “consistently over the years is a proof that with our concerted efforts, making Lagos State a 21st Century Economy is possible.”

He said the seminar addresses the fibre of the state of security and sanity of markets in Lagos State.

“Much vigilance and attention must be paid even to the tiniest detail in our markets, so as to guarantee safety of lives and properties,” he mentioned.

“No doubt, security and sanitation remain vital issues in our society, especially in our markets,” he said.

“In the past years, the First-Lady has been on the borderline, leading and taking this noble cause to Local Governments in the State,” he added.

According to him, since the sensitisation, there “have seen a tremendous level of compliance in our markets as it concerns market sanitation and security and this is why we must commend the efforts of the First-Lady of Lagos State, the entire members of COWLSO; our amiable Iyaloja-General and Market Leaders and Users, whose concerted efforts have led to this noticeable compliance.”

He said it was essential to spread the message across other nooks and crannies of the State.

“Let me also inform us, that, Lagos State under the leadership of Mr Governor has been at the top of the security situation in the State, hence the ease of business and the developmental projects we are experiencing in the State,” he added.

Commending the organisers of the programme he assured continuity of efforts to enhance “the advocacy and sensitisation on Market Sanitation and Security for Market Leaders.”

He urged the stakeholders to maximise the opportunity to learn better ways on market sanitation and security that the seminar affords.

The State’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, represented by Dr. Hassan Sanu, said with the space limitation of the State in face of teeming population, it was important for market stakeholders to conduct themselves responsibly, with conscious efforts to management of market sites.

He said it was important for them to imbibe proper waste management in line with the demands of the recycling system for the green economy initiative of the State.

The Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, represented by Bola Adewunmi, appreciated the State Governor for the support in line with waste management.

He called for proper waste sorting and management to make the waste-to-wealth system a reality in the State.

The edition of the seminar is the fifth in the series of the intervention which was put together through a collaborative effort of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) and the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs in line with the commitment to put the welfare and wellbeing of market men and women on the front burner.

Since its first edition in January 2020 at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, divisions where the seminar has been held include Ikorodu Division (May 18, 2021); Ikeja Division (September 17, 2021); and Badagry Division November (25, 2021).