The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Mai-Martaba Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, has described the claims by some claimants on the Ita-Nmo market as null and void stressing that the details of the acquisition of the land is devoid of any ambiguity.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari noted that the land was duly handed over by the rightful owner, the late Waziri of Ilorin, Oloye Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, for the purpose of peaceful relocation of market men and women from Agor market.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Emir’s Personal Assistant, Dr. Muritala Raheem and Press Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, said following the handing over of the land to the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, the monarch formally notified and handed over the land to the authority of Ilorin West Local Government Area under the Chairmanship of Hon. Muhammad Toyin Sanusi for the exercise of proper administrative responsibilities.
The statement further clarified thus: “Almost two decades, the then Chairman of Ilorin West Local Government, Hon. Muhammad Toyin Sanusi conceived the idea and proposed the development of a modern Market Complex at Agor Market, Oja-Oba, as part of efforts to improve commercial activities, enhance urban order, and provide better facilities for traders.
“In the process of implementing the proposed market complex, the need arose to temporarily relocate traders operating within the old Agor Market to prevent disruption of their livelihoods during construction and redevelopment. Alhaji Sanusi made consultations when the marketers trooped to Emir’s palace to seek support of the traditional institution of Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR.
“In response to the marketers’ outcry, the Emir of Ilorin, as the paramount traditional ruler and custodian of communal interests within the Ilorin Emirate, intervened and appealed for the availability of land at Ita-Nmo area to accommodate the affected traders in the interest of peace, commerce, and social stability.”
It added that, “Following this appeal, in his usual philanthropy and patriotic nature, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki made land available at the Ita-Nmo area of Ubandawaki Ward for Emir of Ilorin, specifically for the purpose of resettling traders displaced from the original Agor Market due to the proposed market complex.
“The Emir of Ilorin thereafter attained the land and formally handed it over to the Ilorin West Local Government authority, clearly designating it for public market use to serve the relocated traders and the wider community.
“To further affirm this process, the Emir personally visited the Ita-Nmo site, underscoring the traditional and communal authority backing the handover and ensuring that the land was properly designated for its intended public purpose through the Ilorin West Local Government.
“Upon the handover, the then Chairman of Ilorin West Local Government constituted a powerful committee, duly recognized to oversee the establishment, management, and orderly development of the new market at Agor of Oja-Oba, Ilorin with the mandate of ensuring transparent allocation of stalls and trading spaces to eligible traders relocated from Agor Market, in line with fairness, administrative guidelines, and the collective interest of the trading community.
“Over the years, the Ilorin West then did the allocation of land space to the marketers after the completion of the parameter fence. However, the land has been used openly and continuously as a public market, with traders conducting legitimate commercial activities under the understanding that the site was designated for public use through traditional authority engagement and administrative approval.
While condemning the recent uproar over ownership of the land as unwarranted and inappropriate, the statement urged any family member who may wish to claim ownership of the land to be properly guided by the historic narrations surrounding the handing over and acquisition of land in line with the need of constituted authorities for public use to promote social harmony and economic stability.
