Jos market where traders forget religious differences

Yan Doya Market, a yam market, located in Gangare Community of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, has been in existence for the past 50 years.

The market, which accommodates people from different tribes and religions for business transactions keeps both Christians and Muslims together despite the frequency of ethno-religious crises that claimed many lives and loss of properties worth millions of naira in the state.

Benue/Plateau Trust reports that more than 90 per cent  of the yam supplied to Jos is brought to the market before it is distributed to other places in the state capital.

Mairiga Lamido, the Chairman of the market traders association, said the market was still the only business place that both Muslims and Christians had confidence in one another.

He said: “The market is located in the Muslim-dominated area. But in spite of that, we have a good relationship with our Christian business partners. We have been together for many years and we never allow anything to divide us.

“This market is almost the only market that embraces everyone. Our long term relationship had made us to build trust and that is why we give them yam on credit to sell and pay us back. Our religious differences don’t divide us. We are all created by one God and so, there is no need to fight,” the chairman added.

Ladi Jacob, a Christian and resident of Rukuba Area of Jos North and a yam seller in the market, said their relationship with other Muslim business partners was very cordial despite the ethnic upheavals that had been rocking the state for many years.

She said: “I have been in this  market for the past 20 years. I enjoy doing business with everyone in the market. We are not intimidated. They give us yam on credit to sell and pay them back. When there is a crisis in the town, we go home and leave our yam and whenever it is sold, they keep the money for us.

Benue/Plateau correspondent reports that both Muslims and Christians in the market believe that peace is the only way to develop meaningful society and called on Nigerians to live peacefully with one another.