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Tag: Market women

  • Market women protest against alleged extortion

    Market women protest against alleged extortion

    Aggrieved market  women in Iyana Ipaja, Alimosho Local Government in Lagos State, yesterday, protested alleged extortion by revenue collectors.

    The protesters, with placards, said the collectors alegedly terrorise Iyana Ipaja and environs over withdrawal of revenue collection from  Jimoh Ejigbadero, and called on government and council Chair, Jelili Sulaimon, to save them from harassment.

    Spokesperson for the protesters, Mrs Ayisat Akanni, alleged “Ejigbdero and his boys said every trader should pay N2000 for  market fee and identity card.

    “We objected because many sell pepper, tomatoes, okra and vegetables whose investment is not up to N2,000.

    “We have met Ejigbadero but he forces us to pay. We have National ID Card and Permanent Voter Card, PVC, etc.

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    “If you multiply our number (over 1,000) with N1000, you will appreciate how much Ejigbadero and his boys wants to reap from us”

     Addressing them, Divisional Police Officer of the council’s Gowon Estate, Segun Abifarin, said: “When I heard about the protest, I had to come and talk to the protesters and assure them of safety. I have instructed policemen to protect them.

    ‘‘Your grievances will be met. If anybody comes here to arrest any of you, call me.

    Ejigbadero said  he never directed anybody to collect money and that the allegations were baseless.

  • Manufacturers, artisans, market women mobilise to welcome President Buhari in Edo

    Members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Edo State, artisans and market women have commenced mobilisation of their members for the scheduled visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Edo State for the commissioning of the Edo-Azura Power Plant on Tuesday, November 27.

    The President is also to attend the Chief of Army Staff Conference, holding in Edo State, on the same day.

    Feelers from the organised private sector indicate that different professional groups are already prepping their members for the visit, just as market women are gearing up for a presidential welcome.

    A cross-section of members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Edo/Delta chapter, the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BENCCIMA), and other bodies said that they are ready to welcome the president to the state, and will be on ground to intimate the president with the impact of the current administration’s reforms on their businesses.

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    A member of BENCCIMA, and Youth Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo State Chapter, Comrade Asuen Valentine, said that a great deal of mobilisation is ongoing across the state to see that the president gets a rousing welcome.

    Valentine, who is also Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/ Chairman, DVD Oil,  added, “We are ready to welcome the president to the state. This, for us, is an opportunity to engage with the President, tell him our concerns and also appreciate him for a number of policies that have positively impacted our operations, especially the move to diversify the economy.”

    Edo Market women leader, Madam Blacky Omoregie, on her part, said that market women are most excited to have the President in the state as his social investment programmes particularly the TraderMoni and MarketMoni have tremendously changed lives across the country.

    “This is the first time market women across the country are having such direct benefit from the government and it is so pleasing. This is why we are mobilising market women across the state to thank the President for all he has been doing and for placing us at the center of such interventions,” she added.

     

  • 2019: Enugu market women endorse Ugwuanyi for second term

    Jubilant market women in Enugu State on Friday, converged on the Government House, Enugu to express their firm support for the re-election of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in 2019 for entrenching peace and good governance in the state, and assisting traders in the state grow their businesses.

    The traders, who described Ugwuanyi as “the most trader-friendly governor”, disclosed that “we have never had it so good like this since the inception of civilian regime in 1999.”

    The women added that Ugwuayin is the only governor of the state, who came on board and remembered the welfare of the traders, stressing that they are supporting his re-election because he cares for them and the masses.

    Presenting their stance, the state’s Market Woman Leader, Hon. Esther Edeh, appreciated the governor for the Enugu State Traders Empowerment Scheme his administration launched in 2017 to assist genuine traders who win the monthly open raffle draw of N50,000 each to grow their various businesses, irrespective of state of origin, religion or ethnicity.

    She noted the women have benefited immensely from the empowerment programme, expressing delight with the governor’s passion for the wellbeing of the traders, saying: “Every day, what he is thinking is what he can do for market traders in Enugu State.”

    Hon. Edeh maintained that the market women in Enugu State have resolved to work for Ugwuanyi’s re-election. Her words: “Daddy, the reason why we are here is to thank you and also tell you that whatever you want in Enugu State as it concerns traders, we will give it to you double. We have come to say to you that in this Lion Building, there is no vacancy, come 2019.”

    Responding, Ugwuanyi thanked the women for their support, solidarity and prayers, assuring them of his resolve to continue to serve the people of the state with the fear of God and to improve their living standard.

     

  • Gbajabiamila donates fire extinguishers to market women

    House of Representatives Leader Femi Gbajabiamila has donated fire extinguisher balls to market women in his Surulere Federal Constituency I of Lagos State.

    The lawmaker described fire as a natural calamity that could happen any time.

    Presenting the extinguishers at a ceremony at the popular Tejuosho Market, the House Leader said nobody prays for a fire, adding that there is need to prepare for it to minimise its devastation.

    Gbajabiamila assured his constituents that despite the defection of some All Progressives Congress (APC) legislators in the National Assembly to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling party still has majority in both chambers.

    The lawmaker said those who left were the moles in the APC.

    “They don’t believe in President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft war. They want the looting of the treasury to continue as it was under 16 -year PDP rule. To us in APC, it’s no more business as usual. This is the era of probity and accountability.”

    Officials of Federal Fire Service educated the audience on safety of life and property during a fire outbreak.

    They demonstrated the use of the extinguisher balls.

    Receiving the equipment on behalf of the market women, the Iyaloja of Tejuosho Market, Alhaja Naheemat Majek-Fadimuluyi, and her counterpart from Idi-Araba Market, Mrs Abeni Ashimolowo, thanked Gbajabiamila for the gesture.

    The market leaders pledged the support of their members to the House Leader in realising his political ambition.

     

  • Market women,men get free HIV testing

    Thousands of market women and men have accessed free HIV testing in the ongoing HIV market intervention programme in Lagos State.

    The programme was  organised by the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA).

    The market intervention, according to the CEO of LSACA, Dr. Oluseyi Temowo, was a follow-up on the activities to mark the year 2017 World AIDS Day event. Market women and men most times work from morning till night at the expense of their health, he said. The intervention, according to him, would afford them the opportunity to know their HIV status, document their knowledge, attitude and perception on HIV /AIDS, get counseled on risky behaviour that promotes HIV transmission and would help the agency to elicit comprehensive data for the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency in programming for HIV/AIDS among the group in the state.

    Dr. Temowo maintained that aligning with the global trend of ‘Getting to Zero in HIV intervention to eliminate New Infections, Discrimination and AIDS related deaths ‘ and the United Nations 90-90-90 initiative  which is aimed at eradicating the scourge by 2020 through scaling up implementation can go a long way in the achievement of the global initiative among the target group for Lagos State.

    This can be achieved  using the initiative of 90percent of the people living with HIV knowing  their status ,90 percent of the people who their status accessing Anti-retroviral treatment while 90 percent on Anti-retroviral treatment have suppressed viral loads and be able to eradicate the scourge by 2030 in Lagos State .

    In one of the intervention programmes at Mile 12 market,909  market women and men were counseled, tested and received results immediately. At Agbado-Oke -Odo market in Alimosho Local Government  Area, it was 421, Aiyetoro market, Epe- 540, Sabo market, Ikorodu—368 among others. Those found to be positive were referred appropriately, he stated.

    Dr. Temowo maintained that market women and men are very effective in information dissemination through interpersonal communication  and  to get them informed about HIV/AIDS will go a long way in reaching out to the grassroots for early detection and treatment.

    Meanwhile, LSACA has donated groceries to people living with HIV/AIDS, and promised them a good living.

    The event took place at the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos monthly gathering in which all the coordinators of a support group of people leaving with HIV/AIDS, Lagos State come together to discuss on the challenges every member  is facing in  and how to resolve same.

    Pastor Peter Obialo, the acting coordinator for Network of People Leaving With HIV/AIDS (NECWAN said HIV patients are facing  a lot of challenges especially stigma and discrimination which cannot be written off. He lamented it is not the way it ought to be. He said people that tested positive are  finding difficult to disclose their status to their partners or family because of fear and the stigma that follows the revelation.They  should be counseled to face the reality of life,he advised.

    Pastor Obialo said ‘’that is why we are here to encourage people to come out to disclose their HIV status and they won’t be stigmatised, rejected or cast out.

    “Though there are little problem here and there especially in the area of finance, which has been their ultimate challenge, we will like to appreciate the Lagos State Government especially Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, and LSACA, which has been the only organisation that is helping us. They are the only one we ran to anytime we are facing challenges. We want to appeal to other institutions to come to our aid to empower us in areas of agriculture, poultry and provide a place for the group to start a business so that they too can help in some areas to support the nation. Being an HIV patient is not a death sentence,this  does not mean we can’t work or we are useless in the society. Empower and train us  or employ us so that we too can be useful in the society at large.”

    One of the coordinators Kadiri Oluseyi, said LSACA has  been a wonderful organisation that has been in partnership with NECWAN for some years back as it has strengthened a lot of people living with HIV/ADS by building their capacity giving  nutritional support and care.

    CEO LSCA,  Dr Oluseyi Temiwo who was represented by Mrs Adebambo Olusola, Assistant Chief Health Education Officer, said the mission of LSCA is to care and support people living with HIV.The   exercise is an “expression of our commitment to the uplifting  of the status of HIV people and that is why we haven’t relented in showing our love, care and support by donating to them. And as part of our plan, we want to  train and  empower them in any skill of their choice and assist them with capital to set up a business in any of the areas they have been trained for.”

  • NMA educates market women on Lassa fever in Osun

    NMA educates market women on Lassa fever in Osun

    Members of the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) yesterday visited major markets in Osogbo, the state capital, to enlighten market women on Lassa fever and its symptoms.

    The state NMA Chairman, Dr Tokunbo Olajumoke, told the market women that the outbreak of Lassa fever in Ondo State was a delicate signal for Osun State residents.

    He urged the traders to be careful with rats on the raw foodstuffs.

    The markets the NMA visited included Akindeko and Olu-Ode.

    Olajumoke said the sensitisation was aimed at educating the traders on the existence of Lassa fever, its symptoms and the appropriate steps to take in case such symptoms are noticed.

    He said: “We came to the markets to talk to people on Lassa fever, which has been ravaging most of the states in Nigeria. As we are all aware, the vector (rats) are very close to the people in the market. When they (rats) touch what traders sell, the buyers who consume the food would be infected.

    “It is paramount to sensitise the traders on this. That’s why we embarked on this awareness tour to major markets in Osogbo. We are talking to the people in the local language and in a manner they can understand and get the message so that we can prevent Lassa fever rather than wait to treat people when infected.

    “As you are aware, Lassa fever is already ravaging Ondo State, which is very close to Osun. There have been reported cases of Lassa fever in Osun. We have recorded a death in Osun as a result of Lassa fever at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Osun. It was confirmed.

    “Also, 40 people are currently quarantined at isolated centres and they are under close examination to determine if they have been infected. We realised that prevention is better than cure. That was why we came out to sensitise the traders.”

     

  • Ogun, market women brainstorm on new measurement bowl

    The Ogun State Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Chief Bimbo Ashiru, has appealed to market women in the state to give the new measurement bowl a trial in line with the federal government policy.

    Ashiru disclosed this at a meeting with market leaders and state representatives from Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba to clear the air on controversies surrounding introduction and enforcement of the bowl, noting that government will never force any market seller against their wish but will always brainstorm to agree on certain policies.

    According to Ashiru, the adoption of the new plastic should be voluntary and no one should use security men to harass anyone to buy, while stating the benefits of the new measurement bowl, which include uniformity and protection of consumers’ rights.

    Responding, Alh. Fausat Alatise, a market leader and Iya Alaje of Akile Ijebu, appealed to market women to give the initiative a trial after which the government will get necessary feedback from them if it will be implemented fully.

     

  • Respite for Ogun traders

    Respite for Ogun traders

    In order to improve the living condition and cushion the effects of the current economic recession in the country for market women and traders in Ogun State, a non-governmental and socio-cultural group, Paseda Women Forum (PWF), has made available the sum of N10 million as free-interest soft loans for them. The gesture was aimed at improving the lot of the women folk.

    Thousands of market women and petty traders drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state thronged Onikolobo, venue of the event, to benefit from the free-interest soft loan made available by the former Ogun State gubernatorial candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria, (UPN) Otunba Rotimi Paseda.

    Addressing the beneficiaries of the maiden edition of the scheme at the occasion, the President of the PWF, Mrs Yemi Layeni, stated that the initiative was borne out of the need to ameliorate the poor living conditions of market women and petty traders who have been at the receiving end of the present excruciating economic conditions.

    According to her, the loan scheme is a sign of good things to come from the initiator of the programme. He added that “the loan scheme was designed for both medium and small business enterprises with a view to assist owners of medium and small-scale enterprises and to banish poverty.

    We are targeting over 5,000 traders to benefit from the first phase of this scheme.

    Layeni, who expressed gratitude to this laudable scheme that will eradicate poverty among women the folk, said: “I want to appeal to the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the loan and refund it within two months, so that other applicants can benefit from the scheme.

    “This is the scheme’s maiden edition, while subsequent ones will be taken to the doorsteps of the beneficiaries at the three senatorial districts across the state.”

    The Coordinating Director, Paseda Legacy Foundation (PLF), Mr Babatunde Folarin, urged the beneficiaries of the scheme not to regard the loan as a national cake but a new lease of life to touch their lives by reinvesting the money to boost their trades.

  • Buhari welcome rally shuts down Ado-Ekiti

    Buhari welcome rally shuts down Ado-Ekiti

    …APC, Civil Society groups slam Fayose for “Death Wish”

    Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, was at a standstill for about two hours on Monday as residents under the aegis the Coalition of Civil Society groups staged a solidarity rally to weclome President Muhammadu Buhari back from his medical vacation.

    The coalition which includes the All Progressives Congress (APC), Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), labour leaders, youths, artisans, students, market women, commercial drivers and other interest groups slammed Governor Ayo Fayose for “wishing the President dead and making comments that could set the country on fire.”

    The rally which started at about 9.00 am at Okeyinmi Roundabout proceeded to Ijigbo before terminating at Mobil area in the city. Many of those who participated in the rally carried placards with various inscriptions.

    Some of the placards read: “Welcome Back Buhari, Shame On Fayose,” “On Buhari We Stand, Corruption Must Go,” “The Lion Is Finally Back Home,” “Fayose, You Are A Disappoinment To Ekiti People,” “Fayose Must Commit Suicide Now As Promised,” “Welcome Back, Baba, African Champion of War Against Corruption,” among others.

    The rally which was supervised by officers and men of the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) caused a traffic snarl on the major highway in the city.

    Protest leaders who took turns to address the people expressed satisfaction with the Saturday’s return of Buhari to the country saying his return will add bite to the anti-corruption crusade and economic recovery.

    Ekiti APC Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye, said Buhari’s return has exposed what he called “the unending lies of Fayose” who he said never wished the President to come back home alive.

    Awe who accused Fayose of playing God on the health of President advised the governor to emulate his Rivers State counterpart Nyesom Wike whom he said displayed maturity by joining other governors to welcome Buhari despite belonging to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said: “God has put Fayose to shame on Buhari, God has silenced him for his lies on the President’s health. We appreciate the people of Ekiti State for their good wishes and prayers for our President throughout the time he was away.

    “Anybody wishing Buhari dead will go before him, we rejoice with our President that he arrived safely and this has put an end to all the lies of Fayose.

    “We urge Fayose to honour his promise, let him be man enough to commit suicide if Buhari returns alive as he had earlier promised.

    “Ekiti people are tired of is one-day-one-trouble government and one-day-one-propaganda government and we want to assure our people that Fayose’s day of reckoning is very near.”

    Coordinator of Progressive Youth League (PYL), Adeoye Aribasoye, berated Fayose for “raising false alarm” on the health of President by threatening to release eleven damaging pictures of Buhari on life support.

    Aribasoye: “God is greater than men, Fayose said he has eleven damaging pictures of Buhari. We want the whole world to know that whatever he says does not represent the view of Ekiti people.”

    Labour leader, Kolawole Olaiya, urged Buhari to probe how the proceeds of Paris Club refunds to Ekiti was spent by Fayose regretting that workers are suffering.

    “Olaiya said: “We want President Buhari to revisit the issue of the Paris Club refunds to Ekiti State. Local government workers in Ekiti have not received salaries for about nine months.”

    CNPP Chairman Tunji Ogunlola said: “Nigeria’s collective destiny cannot be aborted by a tiny group of crooks whose survival depend on the looting of our commonwealth.

    “It is on this strength that we believe the President’s return presents a fresh hope for the accomplishment of our collective dream for a great nation as he settles down to work.”

  • Market women join Ondo APC, pledge to work for party’s victory

    Market women join Ondo APC, pledge to work for party’s victory

    Scores of market women in Ondo State have joined the All Progressives Congress(APC) with the pledge to work for the victory of the party in next year governorship polls in the state.

    The group is the umbrella body of the Association of Commodity Market Women and Men of Nigeria(ACMWAMN) under the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Folasade Tinubu-Ojo.

    Speaking at the APC Secretariat in Akure, Mrs Olabisi Ojo Babatunde, the Iyaloja General in the state  said the move to align with the progressives started since the days of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    According to her,the iyalojas and its executive members in the state are constituted to act as liason officers between the APC and the teeming members of the ACMWAMN to ensure smooth working relationship that would translate into mutual benefit.

    She said: “This is a call to service and we should all be prepared for the enormous task before us. Our commitment and dedication to the party must be absolute.

    we should thread with caution to avoid fanning the embers of discord within the party.”

    Mrs Babatunde said the state executives would soon begin visits to all local government areas to ascertain the level of committment and progress recorded by their executives in promoting the APC and the interests of its members.

    She said: “All local governments executives should ensure that they have their Permanent Voters Cards(PVC).The leadership of this association is inaugurated for the progress of the APC and the actualization of our dreams to occupy Alagbaka Government House in 2017 irrespective of whoever emerges the party’s flag bearer after its primaries next year.”

    Mrs Babatunde also denied the rumours that an aspirant was sponsoring the association, urging  members not to allow politicians to buy their conscience.

    Receiving the women, the state APC Chairman,Isaac Kekemeke urged members to embark on aggressive mobilisation of new party members and abide with rule and regulations of the party.

    Kekemeke called for total loyality and commitment of members across the 18 local government areas of the state. He warned them against anti-party activities noting that with their unflinching support,the party would form the next government in the state in 2017.

    The APC banner and certificate of inauguration were presented to the’ Iyaloja-General’by the APC State Deputy Chairman,Mr Ade Adetimehin in the presence of other state executives and party leaders.