COMPUTER VILLAGE IKEJA - TRADERS REJECT CREATION OF "IYALOJA" POSITION IN THE MARKET.

By Sunday Imonah.

We visited Ikeja on Tuesday April 30th, to get a change of parts for a client and friend when we noticed some unusual activities at the popular international computer/tech market at Ikeja.

People were moving around with placards and many shops were closed, people standing about and unsuspecting shoppers just milling about. The few open shops had gloomy attendants and placards in front, they were not attending to anyone.

We asked around to know what was going on and a trader by the name Victor was kind enough to inform us that the government was planning to impose an "Iyaoloja" and a "Babaoloja" on them, that's why they were protesting because they do not need such and that it made no sense.

We also noticed media presence in the market, specifically that of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) amongst others. The traders had addressed the press saying that Computer Village was an international market that did not need such imposition.

We found a convenient spot at a customer's shop to sit where we listened to traders discussing the incident and other related issues around the case. We also notice other media representatives speaking with various people to gather more reactions for their report.

I made some notes and we eventually left the market, unable to achieve what we came for that morning.

Still on the matter, apparently one Mr Wasiu Agbaje, who is an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Engineer, had told the press that Computer Village as a hub was not like the regular markets where such "Iyaoloja" office should be imposed.

NAN reported that Mr Wasiu Agbaje went on to say that installing such would undermine the hub because there was no correlation between technology and Iyaoloja.

“What does the Iyaoloja and Babaloja have to offer in Computer Village, what value are they going to add to the hub and what technological innovations are they bringing?

The computer village is not like any other street market where pepper and other things are sold. “It is an international technological hub and it should be treated as such,” he had said.

Others who also spoke to NAN, said that the computer village was an international market and should be treated as such. They appeared concerned that the intention to install an Iyaoloja would undermine the position of computer village internationally as the biggest technological hub in West Africa.

There are also worries of contradiction of what the hub was known for as well as breach the peace there because it was not a regular market.

It was quite clear that the traders didn't want the imposition, they all seemed to have spoken with one voice. I later placed a call to a friend who works there to find out if things were back to normal but she said only partially as there were talks of legal action from the market association.

My concern at this point are these;

1. What is the essence of the Iyaoloja and Babaoloja offices in a market that already has its own unique leadership and structure?

2. What would be the fate of the former market leadership? Would they be removed, dissolved or rendered less relevant?

3. What would be the levy implications? Would the traders begin to pay additional levies to maintain that office of the new Iyaoloja?

4. Would this not lead to conflict as it might be seen as an attempt to politicize the nature of the market?

5. How would this speak from a tribal perspective? The former leadership is mixed but the Iyaoloja office would be suggesting a strictly South Western affair... Does this speak well of our diversity?

The questions are many and need urgent answers.

What are your thoughts?
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From there the protesters for use style sudanize Nigeria back to factory settings

Not a good move. Quite archaic for an ict hub.

both parties are right on their own views but one will surpass and on most cases the odd.