Akesan Market Fire: Oyo Inaugurates Relief Committee … Plans Sympathy Day for Victims

Ololade Adeyanju/

Oyo Metro Area, comprising Oyo, Afijio and Awe townships and surrounding villages will hold a ‘Community Sympathy and Fund Raising Day’ for victims of the Akesan market fire on Thursday, January 23.

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, today inaugurated a 20-member committee saddled with the task of organising the event.

The inauguration was done on behalf of the monarch by the Chairman of Oyo Metropolitan Development Association, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu (rtd), at the Oyo palace ground.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ladigbolu said the sympathy/fund raising day will be used to collect relief materials in cash and kind for the victims of Akesan market fire disaster.

Ladigbolu said “individual, groups, corporate bodies, traditional councils, community development associations, religious bodies, private enterprises, NGOs, public and private institutions, local governments, etc are expected to present their donations in cash or kind at this solemn assembly”.

He disclosed that the occasion will be held at Akesan market by 10am.

He also explained that the committee’s mandate is different from that of the Akesan Market Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Committee set up by the Oyo State government.

He said the committee’s primary task is to ensure the success of the sympathy/fund raising day, which was initiated by Oyo community to “ameliorate the loss suffered by the victims of the fire” pending the time the market will be rebuilt.

NewsmakersNG learnt that the committee comprises representatives of Akesan market, Christian Association of Nigeria, Muslim community, traditional religion worshippers, Oyo Metropolitan Development Association, the four local governments in Oyo Metro Area and two members nominated by the Alaafin.

Immediately after its inauguration, the committee elected its executive members, including, Chief Morakinyo Fatokun (chairman); Alhaji A.O. Adelabu (vice chairman); Mr. R.A. Atanda (secretary) and Alhaji T.A. Abubakar (treasurer).

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