Muritala Ayinla 
Ibijoke, wife of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday advocated improved security in marketplaces. She made the call at a one-day seminar on market sanitation and security at Iba local council secretariat. The seminar was the fourth in the series put together by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, as part of efforts to put the welfare, safety and security of market men and women on the front burner.
Mrs Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, said it was common knowledge that health and environment had been listed as the second pillar of the administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda for sustainable environment. She said, “Security in the marketplace is paramount and that there must be proper identification of all traders and people trading in the markets.
“As market men and women, you must take ownership of security in your markets, and you have to speak up and speak out loud and clear when you suspect any suspicious movement or activity around you, especially the issue of strangers coming to sleep overnight in the market.” The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed, urged market leaders and stakeholders to continuously commit themselves to ensuring that the state enjoyed continued vigilance by market people, promptly report suspicious acts and movements to the appropriate authorities.
