Ekiti First Lady Urges Market Women to Reduce Prices of Foodstuffs

Ekiti State’s First Lady, Olayemi Oyebanji, has called on market women to show compassion and avoid worsening the economic difficulties faced by Nigerians. She made the plea during a meeting with female market leaders (Iyalojas) from the state’s 16 local government areas in her office in Ado-Ekiti.

Expressing concern over the high cost of food and essential items in markets, Mrs Oyebanji urged market women to reduce prices for goods unaffected by foreign exchange rates. She emphasized the need to assist ordinary citizens struggling with the economic situation.

Mrs Oyebanji also appealed to market women to support the state government’s policies aimed at alleviating hunger and poverty. She urged them to spread the message to all traders in the state and encouraged them to find ways to lessen the burden on the people.

In her address, Mrs Oyebanji said, “My mothers, I beg you, you are the leaders in your markets. For those goods that are not affected by the dollar, please reduce their prices. We should not use this situation to take advantage of our people.”

She highlighted the government’s recent efforts to mitigate the economic challenges, including the introduction of a N12 billion economic stimulus package, payment of arrears of salaries and pensions, increased funding for tertiary institutions, and approval of N331 million for the purchase of food items for distribution in all local government areas.

Mrs Oyebanji also announced her plan to launch a market outreach programme called ‘Aya Gomina N Be Oja Wo’ (Governor’s Wife Visits Markets), where she would visit all the markets, buy from local market women, and empower needy traders.

Responding, the Iyaloja General of Ekiti, Habibat Ogunjobi, assured that market leaders would convey the message to traders in local markets and ensure compliance with the government’s advice to benefit the masses.

Peoples Gazette