Today marks exactly two years the Akesan market was engulfed by a midnight fire. The market which was said to have been in existence for 400 years, was razed on 5th January 2020. The ancient Akesan market, also known as Oja Oba is located at the centre of Oyo town and few metres to the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

Many shops and properties were destroyed in the inferno consuming all goods worth hundreds of millions at the scene of the incident.

Few days after the incident, Governor Makinde visited the scene to take responsibility and promised to rebuild the market while sympathising with the victims, he assured them of his administration’s goal to rebuild Akesan as a new modern market.

Seventeen months later precisely 4th June 2021, the governor commissioned the newly reconstructed ultra-modern Akesan market in Oyo town, declaring that the development would boost the state’s economy, assuring marketers of soft loans, and equitable allocation of stalls. He added that the market has been rebuilt with a number of developments — including 691 shops (528 lock-up shops and 163 open shops), 3 warehouses, a police post, clinic, 2 car parks, 2 toilet blocks, 4 water hydrants with industrial borehole, a cold room and proper road network.

Once more, Engr. Seyi Makinde has fulfilled his promise. He is truly remarkable and a God-sent to the people of Oyo.

God bless GSM
God bless Oyo State…