COVID-19: Ilesa East Councils Move to Prevent the Influx of People from the North into Ijesa Zone

Towards ensuring safety of the people of Ilesa East Council Area of Osun from the Covid-19 pandemic, a meeting of the representatives of the Ilesa East Hausa community, Iyaloja and Babaloja of Irojo/Sabo market, security operatives and representatives of Ilesa East/ Ilesa North East Local Councils, represented by  Otunba Adesoji  Olowoopejobori of Ilesa East LG and Hon. Olaniyi Oladipo of Ilesa North East LCDA was held on Friday 14th April, 2020, at Irojo Ilesa.

The purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm on and prevent the influx of people, particularly from the northern part of Nigeria into Ijesa zone as the Ife/Ijesa area has the highest Hausa community concentration in the State at this time of prevention of the spread of coronavirus pandemic in the country.

The spokeperson for the Councils, Hon. Akintola Akinyele emphasised that the lockdown order by the State Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola , occasioned by the outbreak of Covid-19 is still in place, and people should maintain social distancing, use face masks, wash their hands and stay safe at home and that the fight against Covid-19 is the responsibility of all while commending Governor Oyetola for his efforts in making the State safe from the dreaded coronavirus.

In his responce the Seriki Hausa who also admitted that the Corona Virus is real said that the Hausa community is aware of the danger that the influx of people from the north can cause and thus traders bringing essential materials from the north have been given directives not to come with passengers but only the driver and his assistance. He also noted that traders that bring goods from the north are not only the Hausa but some indiginous Ijesa also organise transportation of goods from the north.

The meeting was also attended by Hon. Ayo Ogunyemi, Ilesa North East, All Progressives Congress {APC} Chairman, who also represented Chief Idowu Korede of Ilesa East, the DPO of Nigeria Police Division B, Ijamo, Ilesa, DSP Segun Ajiboye among others.