The Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, has said governance should not be limited to enforcement and punishment alone but should also include recognition and appreciation of individuals and organisations that comply with government policies, as it rewarded Sango-Oju Irin General Market, Ibadan, as the winner of the maiden edition of the State’s Market of the Month competition for August 2026.
Presenting the award, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ademola Aderinto, said the initiative, formerly known as “Cleanest Market of the Month”, had been renamed “Market of the Month” to reflect a broader assessment beyond cleanliness.
He explained that the competition considers several factors, including daily environmental sanitation, effective market administration, coordination of activities, compliance with Oyo State environmental laws, proper handling of food items, and sanitation practices.
Engr. Aderinto stated that the initiative was aimed at encouraging environmental excellence and promoting healthy competition among markets across the state, noting that the government would continue to recognise and reward markets that demonstrate high levels of environmental and regulatory compliance.
He challenged other markets to work harder to emerge winners in subsequent months, while urging Sango-Oju Erin Market not to relent in maintaining its standards.
Also speaking at the award presentation, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Lamidi Ajibola, commended the Commissioner for introducing the initiative, describing it as a positive approach to governance that encourages people to comply with government policies through recognition and appreciation.
He noted that the initiative was changing the narrative between environmental officials and market operators, as traders were becoming more receptive to the Ministry’s activities because compliance was being recognised and rewarded.
Responding on behalf of the market, the Babaloja of Sango-Oju Irin General Market, Alhaji Azeez Mustapha, expressed appreciation to the Oyo State Government for the recognition, noting that the market conducts daily environmental sanitation, during which shops remain closed, while traders are also required to clean their surroundings daily and dispose of waste properly through available refuse trucks.
He added that the market leadership monitors compliance and cautions or sanctions traders whose surroundings are dirty, while environmental officials regularly inspect the market and advise them on areas requiring improvement.
Sango-Oju Irin General Market received a certificate of recognition as the market of the month, a cash gift and a signpost indicating its status as the Market of the Month for August 2026.
Packaged by Temitayo Afolabi
