The First Lady and wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday charged market men and women to take charge of the security situation in markets across the State while also imploring them to ensure proper sanitation of markets for proper hygiene.
Mrs. Sanwo-Olu gave the advice at a seminar on Market Sanitation and Security for Market Leaders, organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), in conjunction with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs at the Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area, Owutu.
The First Lady said security and safety was intentionally included in the seminar because for the first time, security had become everybody’s business and as market men and women as well as community leaders, they must be conscious of the need to make security a priority.
She said, “When we see something, we must say something. The state of insecurity in Nigeria today has made it necessary in Lagos to implement new measures such as the ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, to sanitise the State and secure our people.
“Security is everyone’s business. Where there’s no law, there’s no offence. Gone are the days when they say Lagos is no man’s land. You cannot go outside the country and throw paper on the floor without consequences”, the First Lady stated.
According to her, security in the market is paramount and there must be proper identification of all traders in the market, adding that the monitoring and evaluation of security activities must be a daily affair and the same should also apply in every community.
Her words: “As market men and women, you must take ownership of the security of the markets. Like the Sorosoke Generation, you have to speak up and speak out loud and clear when there is any suspicious movement or activity around you, especially the issue of strangers coming to the market to sleep overnight. These and many others, including fire outbreaks in the market must be addressed in order to protect the investments of the people, going forward”.
In his welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed, said the timeliness of the seminar could not be undermined, especially after the recent inauguration of Lagos State Market Advisory Council (LASMAC) by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
He said, “This is chiefly one of the efforts of the State Government to make Lagos State a 21st Century Economy and is, no doubt, proof that Mr. Governor intends to leave no sector or individual behind in achieving the dream of a Greater Lagos.
“In our markets, at various Local Governments, Local Council Development Areas and in our communities, men and women of different ethnic and religious leanings dwell happily together in peace and cordial atmosphere, pursuing their daily businesses”, he added.
Also speaking, Chairman/President General, Lagos State Market Advisory Council (LASMAC), Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, urged traders to be conscious of their immediate environment by informing security operatives of any suspicious acts that could lead to a breach of security.
“We must be our brothers’ keepers by reporting any suspicious acts in our neighbourhood”, she stressed.
