Ibadan traders body, IJTA passes vote of confidence on Oladepo
From Olanrewaju Agiri, Ibadan
Members of the Ibadan Joint Traders Association (IJTA) have pledged their unflinching support to the embattled President General of the body, Alhaji Dauda Abiodun Oladepo by passing a vote of confidence on him during a congress of the association held over the weekend.
The traders during an emergency meeting held at the Mapo Ibadan secretariat of IJTA on Sunday 1st November, with about 53 members representing various markets, signed a vote of confidence document to reaffirm Oladepo as their leader and President of the association.
Notable among IJTA chieftains in attendance was Alh. Jelili Adepoju, Jagunmolu Onisowo of Ibadaland, Alh, Tajudeen Hammed, the Asipa Baale Onisowo of Ibadanland, Alh. Ismaila Akande, Baba Isale of Joint Traders and Alhaja Munirat Olawoyin, Osi Iyaloja of Ibadanland, Chief Folakemi Memood, Ekerin Iyaloja of Ibadan, Alhaja Sariat Olorun Ero, Asipa Iyaloja of Ibadanland and Alhaja Latifat Ibrahim, Majero Onisowo of Ibadanland among others.
Oladepo in a statement issued after the meeting thanked his members and the entire traders in Ibadan for their support and show of solidarity saying the development was as a result of his open policy and hundred percent transparent ways of running the association.
He added that the association has a written constitution which clearly stated the procedure to be followed, “we are a registered association with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). I am an elected President; l cannot be removed from anywhere outside our meeting place and without the knowledge of the association’s executives”.
He however vowed to deal with the dissidents that might be conspiring to do the illegalities as the legal team of the association is working to gather the needed facts and documents, after which the conspirators will be arrested and charged with criminal offence.
While explaining on the mismanagement of fund allegation leveled against him, Oladepo stated that “N15m was given to every cluster recognized by the State Government, with N250,000 to 20 people and N100,000 to 100 members, which was collected by each of the beneficiaries personally through their account at SWAP Micro finance bank at Yemetu.
“Instead of 120 slots, only 112 scaled through, while it was spread to all affiliated markets and l as the President did not take anything from it. l was not in charge, it was handled by the association’s Auditor and the PRO 3, any questions on this should be directed to them. And if anybody is crying of not benefits out of the loan, definitely such person will be among the defaulters of the first loan given out by the government,” the IJTA President noted.
