Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun reacts to death of Chief Alaba Lawson

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed shock over the death of the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson describing it as a huge loss to the nation.

Governor Abiodun stated this in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, on Saturday, few hours after Chief Alaba Lawson’s death was announced.

According to the Governor, he received the news of Lawson’s death with great shock, but that he takes solace in the fact that she left huge landmarks across Nigeria and would be remembered for being a blessing to thousands who crossed paths with her.

Governor Abiodun added that as an epitome of excellence, the late Iyalode represented the best of Nigerian womanhood and was a model to generations of women.

His statement read: “The passing of Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson is without doubt a shocking development, but we are consoled by her sterling record of service to humanity and unblemished contributions to the development of Ogun State.

“Lawson was an exemplar of the popular Yoruba dictum of one born into nobility but who goes on to achieve self-rebirth, showcasing the timeless Omoluabi qualities that the Yoruba hold so dear.

“She will be sorely missed.”

The Governor further commiserated with the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, and his chiefs, the Lawson family and the nation in general on her demise and prayed that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Lagos Government re-opens Alaba International Market

In another story, the Lagos State Government has re-opened the famous Alaba International Market and some markets at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos State.

This was as the government, through the State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, Saturday, said the markets were reopened after some environmental issues that were prevailing at the time had been addressed.

The Commissioner who dismissed claims in some quarters that political motives were behind the closure of the markets, stressed that the step was taken to ensure clean and healthy environment around business facilities, noting that the maintenance of a harmonious balance between commerce and environmental health is highly significant.

Recall that the Lagos State Government had shut the markets earlier because of improper waste management and other environmental infractions that were prevailing at the time.

He said, “I state emphatically that the closure of those markets had no ethnic or political motives as it was done to ensure cleanliness and environmental sustainability for the good of all residents.

“The decision to reopen the markets followed rigorous assessment and implementation of stringent environmental standards.

“These standards were set to guarantee that businesses in the state operate in a manner that is not detrimental to the environment and the well-being of the people,’’ Wahab said.

Wahab further stated that the enforcement would be continuous as government would not hesitate to seal any market or corporate facility found wanting.

Commenting, Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said it worked with market officials to ensure the attainment of environmental standards and that it was important for markets to operate in a manner that was economically viable and environmentally responsible.

“We have standards that each market in the state has to comply with to make our business environment clean and healthy for buyers and sellers.

“These include proper waste management, zero tolerance for open burning of waste and zero tolerance for dumping of wastes in the drainage channels.

“Others are engagement of market policing personnel to monitor market sanitation, observance of distance from road setbacks, medians and market surroundings to avoid indiscriminate dumping.

“We must also ensure eradication of street trading and trading on road medians and shoulders, which obstruct free flow of traffic.

“Tariffs must also be fully paid as any violation of the stated regulations would attract penalties and possible subsequent closure of offending markets,’’ he said

Gbadegesin further urged users and business owners to show commitment to environmental sustainability through proper waste disposal and adherence to environmental laws to prevent market closures.

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