Makinde inaugurates rebuilt Sasa Market, warns against crisis

The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has cautioned against another religion, ethnicity, or other group-based crisis in the state.

The governor stated this at the Sasa Market, where he inaugurated an ultramodern facility with 200 lock-up shops, 84 units of open shops, 8 units of toilets for men and women, an office unit, as well as trailer and car parks.

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The old market was destroyed when traders fought along ethnic lines in November 2020 and February 2021.

Makinde charged the traders to dwell in peace.

He said, “I want to admonish you to continue to work together. When the crisis started, the Hausa people were with the Seriki while the Yoruba people were with the Baale. But today, I want everyone to see this development as a symbol to unite everyone.

“Whoever forgets the mistakes of yesterday will repeat but I pray that we won’t repeat the mistake that brought us to this point.

“The separate incidents that occurred in November 2020 and February 2021 remain a footnote in history that should not repeat itself. We must not allow things like ethnicity, language, religion or any such matters to divide us.

“You see, hunger does not know religion. During the crisis then, the needless losses cut across everybody. So, I want to believe we will never repeat the unfortunate history.”