Ilorin traders shut market to honour late Islamic leader

Traders at the popular Agaka spare parts market in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday closed shops for hours in honour of a late Islamic leader, Yahaya Olayiwola Ajia.

Speaking at the eighth-day Fidau jointly organised by the Kuranga-Ajia family and leaders of traders’ unions in the market for the reposed of the soul of the community leader, the well-wishers, comprising of family members and market leaders, described Ajia as a pillar of peace in the community.

Chairman of the trade union for Agaka/Baboko/Adabata auto spare parts and other accessories dealers, (Yoruba section), Sulaiman Ahmed, described the deceased as a patron and father to many different tribes in the market and its surroundings.

He said: “we take all disputes in the market to him for amicable resolutions which he often did to our admiration till he left this sinful world.

“He was ever ready to serve as a man of peace. He abhors violence and he’s well respected among old and the young ones among us; he’ll be well missed.”

The market leader however added: “If not for the economic situation in the country, if we close shops for the whole day, it won’t be too much for him.”

Also speaking, his Igbo counterpart, Sunday Okoroji, who said that Alhaji Ajia stood for unity, added that the Igbo traders even honoured him with a minute silence when his death was announced during their meeting.

“That particular day, everywhere was cold. We closed early that day because of his noble contributions to us, irrespective of tribe or religion. He encouraged unity and progress among us all.

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“As you can see, the market is shut for him. If it’s not because of his goodness, kindness, and love for all, everyone would have opened shops and gone about like nothing ever happened.

“We missed his fatherly relationship, always discouraging misunderstandings among us. He’s gone and we can’t query God.”

The Iyaloja at Agaka market, Latifah Ajanaku, described the late Ajia as a person loved by all, for encouraging progress, unity, and love among traders.

One of the sons of the deceased, Dr. Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia, who described the honour done to his father as a soldier’s farewell, thanked the traders and well-wishers for their concerns.

He vowed to continue the legacy left behind by the community leader and to support the traders, saying he lived his life to serve his family, Agaka community, and Ilorin.

During the prayers led by the Chief Imam of the Ita Ajia Sakasaka community, Alhaji Mohammadu Jamiu, the cleric admonished people to always encourage peaceful and harmonious relationships wherever they find themselves.