Oyo Govt Rewards Sango-Oju Irin Market For Environmental Compliance
…As Aderinto urges other Markets to Step-up sanitation, administrative standards
The Oyo State Government has rewarded Sango-Oju Irin General Market in Ibadan as the winner of the maiden edition of its Market of the Month competition for August 2026.
Presenting the award, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ademola Aderinto, said governance should not be limited to enforcement and punishment, but should also recognise and appreciate individuals and organisations that comply with government policies.
Aderinto explained that the initiative, formerly known as the Cleanest Market of the Month, was renamed Market of the Month to provide a broader assessment of environmental and regulatory compliance.
He said the competition considers factors including daily environmental sanitation, effective market administration, coordination of activities, compliance with environmental laws, proper handling of food items and general sanitation practices.
The Commissioner urged other markets across the state to improve their environmental standards and compete for the award in subsequent months, while charging Sango-Oju Irin Market to sustain its current level of compliance.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Lamidi Ajibola, commended the initiative, saying recognition and reward were helping to improve relations between environmental officials and market operators.
Reacting, the Babaloja of Sango-Oju Irin General Market, Alhaji Azeez Mustapha, said the market conducts daily environmental sanitation, during which shops remain closed, while traders are required to clean their surroundings and dispose of waste properly.
He added that the market leadership monitors compliance and sanctions traders whose surroundings are found dirty, while environmental officials regularly inspect the market and provide guidance on areas requiring improvement.
Sango-Oju Irin General Market received a certificate of recognition, a cash gift and a signpost declaring it the Market of the Month for August 2026.
