Since the Sunday incident in which the Akesan market in Oyo town was razed by fire early morning, notable citizens and politicians in the state had visited the scene and commiserated with victims.
Most of them have visited the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in which domain the largest market is located and promised to either assist or partake in rebuilding the market.
Wares worth millions of naira were lost to the inferno early sunday when shop owners were at home sleeping.
Among early callers was the Immediate past Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi who promised to contribute to the rebuilding of the Akesan market as a private individual who feels the pain of the loss of the victims.
Ajimobi who visited the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III to commiserate with him over the inferno that razed the Akesan market famous for sale of wide range of food items, local artifacts, clothing materials, household utensils and some other thing was in company of associates which included his former principal private secretary, Seyi Adisa, who represents AFIJIO federal constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly.
The former governor who expressed sadness at the occurence described it as unfortunate, saying his visit should be likened to that of a son to the father over the loss.
Ajimobi also expressed appreciation to the first class monarch for his fatherly contribution to his 70th birthday on December 16, 2019.
The Alaafin expressed appreciation to the former Governor over the visit, describing him as a man of wisdom which reflected in his stewardship as Governor.
The monarch said the occurrence was especially painful because of the importance as the King’s market. Apart from its importance and the tradition laid down and sustained by subsequent Alaafins of providing welfare programme for the people in the market, the Alaafin also described the market as the cleanest and safest becauseof the way it is cared for.
Oba Adeyemi noted that such a major incident has never occured before in the history of the market. He however promised that the market would be restored to its former glory.
Also, Adebayo Adelabu, who was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in March 9, 2019 election, he woukd contribute to the reconstruction of the razed Akesan market
The affected traders,he said, would benefit from his Adebayo Adelabu Foundation,BAF’s traders’ support scheme.
Read also: Oyo APC commiserates with fire victims, asks Makinde to be proactive
Also ,he said he woukd contact Central Bank of Nigeria CBNon behalf of the traders for small and medium enterprises, SME, loan to cushion the effect of the inferno.
According to him, I promised to contribute within my capacity to the reconstruction of the Akesan Market to express my love and solidarity towards the victims of the inferno. My foundation will even provide relief materials soon and this is aside from the financial support I promised,”.
However , Olufemi Lanlehin, a guber candidate of ADC in last year’s governorship election in Oyo state has commiserated with market men and women in the ancient Oyo Town, over the unfortunate early Sunday morning inferno at the Akesan Market.
Lanlehin, who specifically commiserated with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the Babaloja and Iyaloja of Akesan Market, and all traders in the market, particularly those who suffered losses in the regrettable blaze, prayed that, “God Almighty will console them, and replace in bountiful folds, all losses incurred”.
“Truth is, only God Almighty can restore those traders, much as government and good spirited Nigerians will try their best,” he added.
Lanlehin, who called on the Oyo State government to, consequent upon this unfortunate incidence, rejig the State Fire Service, to improve its capacity to deal with, and respond to emergencies, quickly and timely, maintained that, that would not only prevent losses of unimaginable proportions, but also mitigate against future occurrences.
Lanlehin, who advised government to speed up public enlightenment on disaster management and emergency response, especially in periods of extreme weather such as this, urged the good people of Oyo Town, to remain calm and law abiding, particularly in the face of the alleged killings of protesters by security agencies, further condoled the families of the dead, praying God Almighty to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
He, therefore, called on the state government and the Police to speedily investigate the matter, as well as put measures in place to prevent future occurrences.
Lanlehin, who appealed to both the federal and state governments, as well as kindhearted Nigerians, to rally round the affected traders, particularly at this hour of distress, prays fervently against losses and deaths this new year, wishing instead, that prosperity and abundance will be the people’s lot.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Government on Sunday expressed sympathy with victims urging residents of the state to be cautious on ways and manners in which the issue of fire is handled especially during this current harmattan season.
Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatunbosun, assured that the present administration of Gov. Seyi Makinde as a humane one, will do whatever it can to assist the victims.
In the press statement issued by Olatunbosun, however, admonished people to ensure that they are not careless on ways and manners naked fire is handled, by ensuring that they always put off electrical appliances, not pouring petrol while using their phones or when generating set is on, effective extinguishing of cigarettes sticks after smoking, as well as urging people that deal with naked fire to be mindful of the present dry season .
Olatunbosun advised that residents should urgently contact the nearest fire service station to them or use the state security emergency line *615* immediately an incident occurs, as the state government is already putting machinery in place to restructure the Fire Service mechanism and its operations to meet the current challenges.
The Commissioner assured of government’s determination to make lives and properties of residents safe and secure at all times.
Read also: Oyo APC commiserates with fire victims, asks Makinde to be proactive
However, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and his son, Akeem Adeyemi, who represents the town in the House of Representatives, as well as the caretaker chairman of Oyo East local government, Saheed Arowosaye, visited the Akesan market which was razed early sunday morning.
The monarch who was conducted round the market, where over 1,000 shops were affected expressed sadness and promised to liaise with relevant agencies to ensure victims are provided with succor
Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila on Sunday sympathised with the government and people of Oyo State over the fire incident that gutted the Akesan Market, in the ancient town of Oyo.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said he was shocked by the incident and expressed regret over the early morning fire outbreak that claimed the means of livelihood of many traders.
According to him, it is with heavy heart that I received the news of the fire outbreak that gutted the popular ancient Akesan Market in Oyo.
“I commiserate with the victims of the fire for the disruption of their economic activities as a result of the unfortunate incident. Being a historic ancient market and very dear to the people of Oyo State, I also empathise with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi over the incident.
“I want to appeal to the people to remain calm and law abiding as the government of the state looks into the situation with a view to bringing succour to the victims,
The Speaker said the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management alongside the lawmaker representing the area, Akeem Adeyemi will wade in to mobilize relief materials.
