The Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has commiserated with the victims of the fire incident that gutted the Oja-Oba market in the early hours of Tuesday, in Osogbo.
Oyetola also urged the citizens to prioritize personal and collective safety as part of efforts to forestall possible disasters as the dry season is approaching.
Governor Oyetola who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Wole Oyebamiji made the statement during his on-the-spot assessment of the site of the inferno at the popular Oja-Oba market, Osogbo.
Early on Tuesday, a section of the Oja-Oba Market was razed by a fire that destroyed valuable properties and personal belongings of the traders.
Addressing journalists after the inspection, Oyebamiji, who expressed deep grief, thanked God that no life was lost to the fire and described the incident as unfortunate.
He said: “Mr. Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola is not around now but he has requested that a powerful delegation must come to commiserate with the affected market men and women, most importantly the Iyaloja and Babaloja of this market and that is why we are here.
Mr. Governor sympathises with the victims and prays that an incidence of such will not reoccur.”
Speaking further, he said: “As you all know, our Governor is always concerned about the welfare and comfort of the citizens and as soon as he comes back, he will make a statement. So, on behalf of himself and the good people of Osun we commiserate with the victims and entire members of the market community”, he added.
Speaking, one of the occupants of the affected shops, Kudirat Ganiyu Sande, said they couldn’t trace the source of the fire to anything.
She narrated that the fire started around 1 am on Tuesday and lasted for two hours before it was eventually quenched by firefighters.
Sande, however, appealed to the government to come to their aid as they couldn’t give an exact assessment of the worth of the valuables lost to the fire at the moment.
Also, Iyaloja of the market, Wosilatu Kasali, expressed deep sorrow over the incident just as she appealed to the government and well-meaning citizens to support the victims and the market community.
The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunde Olanipekun on his part appreciated Governor Oyetola and his administration for taking the welfare and general well-being of the people of the state as a priority.
He further lauded the Governor for the show of concern over the recent fire incidences in Osogbo, saying the move was indeed a reflection of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people of the ancient town.
The monarch however called on his subjects to take precautions as the dry season is fast approaching saying this would further help to prevent such ugly incidence in the future.