Computer Village Impasse: I Didn’t Collect Nor Made Request Of ₦5m From Anyone, Iyaloja Refutes Corruption Allegations

 

Across various Yoruba markets and the states they belong to, an Iyaloja is usually democratically chosen by her constituents (and is thereafter confirmed by the oba) or single-handedly chosen by the oba himself. In rare situations, like the case of the Iyaloja of Lagos in 2013, the deceased Iyaloja can choose her successor before her death.

Historically, the Iyaloja of Lagos is referred to as “Iyaloja of Nigeria”, despite the existence of other Iyalojas across various Yoruba-dominated states. The use of Iyaloja of Lagos as nomenclature for Iyaloja of Nigeria might not be unconnected to Lagos position as the commercial powerhouse of the country. It is the commercial hub upon which the economic survival of the country is anchored. When Lagos sneezes other states catch a cold. So it’s only natural that the spheres of influence and power of the leader chosen to take responsibility for activities of markets in Lagos spread to other enclaves: which is where Iyaloja of Nigeria comes in.

Lagos is the melting pot of Nigeria with different people of diverse background. Lagos is the metaphor of what Nigeria stands for — the heterogeneous society, the rich culture, the boisterous social life, the economic prosperity and avalanche of opportunities. The very essence of Nigeria is rooted in the existence of Lagos. The strength of Lagos is its diversity

Conventional markets and other informal sectors of the economy are exceedingly important to Lagos state and the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state, these sectors are seen as a political stronghold which the opposition cannot penetrate and important voting bloc through which the electoral triumph will be sealed. This is made so by the relationship that exists between the political gladiators in the state and the leaders of these sectors or groups. The leaders of these sectors are known to wield so much influence on their followers and can manipulate them to do their bidding.

The Present Iyaloja, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, was installed in 2013.

Folashade took the mantle of leadership of market women and men in Nigeria from the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the mother of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Leader of All Progressives Congress(APC) who died on Saturday, June 15, this year, at the age of 96.

Before she assumes the position, Folashade has been working as Iyaloja-General in acting capacity as she used to represent mama Mogaji at various functions. She was also the head of Lagos State Market Board and performs all functions of Iyaloja while mama was alive.

Save for few hiccups and media frenzy around her person which is only natural for someone of her status, the present iyaloja has enjoyed a scandal-free reign since 2013 until recently when she became entangled in control of the popular computer village market in Lagos.

As she alluded to during the exclusive interview with EkoHotBlog, God had been good to me and my family. My goal in life is to add value to other peoples life, live a contented life and preserve the good name of my family. I have been able to achieve that feat so far”

However the computer village saga has generated some uproars lately. The Trouble began when Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, President-General, Association of Commodity Market Women and Men of Nigeria, installed Adeniyi Olasoji and Abisola Azeez as Babaloja and Iyaloja, respectively, of the popular Computer Village in Lagos State.

Traders and businessmen in the market had claimed that Computer Village is an international business hub and not a conventional market where the titles of Babaloja and Iyaloja were only suited.

They said the position of Iyaloja and Babaloja are only meant for markets where commodities such as pepper and onions are sold.

They said people outside the market had no right to choose leaders for them.

After the imbroglio that characterised the installation of the Iyaloja and Babaloja at the market came series of allegations against the Iyaloja–General. The allegation borders on highhandedness and financial impropriety.

Traders in the market had alleged that a gate erected by them was removed on the orders the Iyaloja-General. The also alleged that a sum of ₦5 million was collected from them by the Iyaloja-General.

But in an exclusive interview with EkoHotBlog, the Iyaloja-General debunked the allegations levelled against her, she said she didn’t remove or ask anyone to remove a gate erected in the market by the traders.

On the collection of ₦5 million from the traders, she refuted the accusation saying she didn’t collect or order anyone to collect money from traders in the market.

On the allegation of the maintenance fee, she added that she did not know anything nor approved the maintenance fee that is being collected from the tenants.

She said she could not afford to dabble into activities that will tarnish her reputation and that of her family.

She, however, insisted that the activities and operations at computer village falls under the scope of what goes on in the conventional market hence the need for regulation and oversight from the Iyaloja-General office.

Computer village is a commodity market where buying and selling takes place.

She averred that so long they operate in Lagos, traders in the market must be guided by laws and policies of the state.

Solving the intractable situation

She said a meeting has been scheduled with the stakeholders on Monday to address the issues and work out an amicable resolution.

She is confident all the grievances will be adequately addressed, she concluded.