… Urges Them To Be Vgilant During Yuletide
Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has applauded the efforts of Market Leaders in the State for ensuring hygiene in markets and strict adherence to standard practices in the State, stating that this result has been possible because of the unrelenting efforts of the Iyaloja/President-General, Chief Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, who has continued to engage Market Leaders across the State on best practices in markets.
The First Lady disclosed this today during a one-day seminar on Market Sanitation and Security for Market Leaders in Lagos East Senatorial District, held at the Babajide Sanwo-Olu International Model Market, Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area.
While thanking facilitators who have continued to educate market stakeholders on improved ways to transform waste into wealth and how to safeguard their health, lives and properties, Dr. Sanwo-Olu urged market leaders in the state to harness technology to develop market operations and ensure proper waste management and hygiene towards a sustainable environment.
She harped on the numerous benefits that technology in marketplaces offer and how it would enhance markets to function optimally, reiterating the State Government’s commitment to enhance market security and sanitation in the State through community-based associations, which would aid in achieving the T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus Agenda of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
“Harnessing technology is another key aspect of improving market operations. Tools like CCTVs, public address systems, and digital platforms, including social media, can enhance waste management, public health, and security in our markets. We started this sensitisation through the five divisions of the stage, and we are moving through the Senatorial District, and after the Lagos West District, we shall move to the Community Development Associations (CDAs) to engage them on this cause,” she said.
The First Lady added that markets are the lifeblood of the economy, and they offer essential goods and services to the people, which the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu recognises and is positioned to leverage in its bid to achieve the vision of making Lagos a 21st-century economy.
Mrs. Sanwo-Olu emphasised the need to be security conscious in the markets, urging market leaders to develop effective strategies, provide training on best practices, and educate stakeholders on identifying and reporting potential threats to market safety, particularly during this yuletide season.
She, however, called on all market stakeholders to join hands with the State Government in creating markets that are clean, safe, and prosperous, as the efforts will position Lagos as a model for sustainable development and economic growth.
Also speaking at the event, the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, commended the efforts of Iyaloja and President-General, Chief (Mrs.) Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, for ensuring that Markets in Lagos State comply with the policies of the State on safety and hygiene.
She urged market leaders to continue to maintain hygienic practices in the State to set Lagos State as an exemplary model for other states.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr. Bolaji Robert, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa reiterated that the sanitation programme was designed to address the path to improving waste management and public health in market places, and how to consolidate on it is a recipe for economic growth.
He said, “Markets can also be vulnerable to health threats if wastes from these markets are not properly disposed of and this is why we must collectively take up the responsibility of disposing our wastes properly. Let us, for this reason, ensure that produce and wares from our markets are kept in the best hygienic conditions, especially by bagging our waste and ensuring they are disposed of in the containers provided by LAWMA”.
Also speaking at the event, the Iyaloja/President-General, Association of Commodity Men and Women of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs.) Folashade Tinubu-Ojo enjoined market leaders to prioritize their hygiene by ensuring that marketplaces are kept clean at all times.
The Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, Mrs. Samiat Bada, restated her administration’s commitment to consistently support Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s initiative to reposition markets in the area and ensure a cleaner environment.
