Traders under the aegis of Ifesowapo Traders Association from Area J4 in the Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State had expressed appreciation to the Government for the lifting of ban on forest activities in the State, with a promise to assist in curbing illegalities in forest reserves.
Receiving the women group, the Wife of the Ogun State Governor ,Mrs .Bamidele Abiodun, in company of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi and a former Commissioner in the State, Engr. Ayo Olubori, said the gesture by government was to allow them move their agricultural produce from the forest reserves.
Mrs. Abiodun, who acknowledged the innumerable roles of women in nation building noted that, they were created by God to add value to life and therefore be treated with utmost care and respect.
She said the mode of forest operation and management in the reserves were unacceptable, calling on the women to contribute their quota by supporting government in forest preservation.
“Women are very important stakeholders in governance that needs to be protected. Their roles are so enormous and their needs must be given urgent attention by all’’.
Earlier, Mr.Tokunbo Talabi revealed that efforts were in top gear to establish forest vanguard to complement government’s drive towards forest regeneration and preservation, for increased revenue, appealing to the women group to support government in achieving good governance across board.
Talabi added that assessment had been carried out on all deplorable roads within the Local Government, particularly the forest reserves, assuring that the roads would be rehabilitated to aid business and other social-economic engagements in the area.
Responding, leader of the group, Chief (Mrs.) Beatrice Yemitan, said the visit was to show appreciation to government for soft pedalling on the suspension order, which has enabled traders continue their trading unhindered.
She promised their unalloyed support towards the success of the administration, appealing for the extension of all government’s intervention programmes to traders in the zone.
