By Ralph Omololu Agbana
*Hotels, Beer Palours May Be Affected
*Egbe Traditional Council Shuts Oja-Egbe, Abu Market Indefinitely
The social restriction order which is aimed at curtailing the spread of the dreaded corona virus in the country has taken its toll on the economic activities and social life of the people of Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
This is as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security for the Council, Tade Oshaloto, Tuesday, extends the restriction order to commercial motorcycles popularity known as “Okada”.
Congregation, wedding, burial and naming ceremonies are among other social gatherings suspended indefinitely.
The list may include and not limited to event centers, hotels and beer palours, depending on the sizes of the crowd.
Heads of security agencies in the council have been directed to enforce the restriction order.
Yesterday, town criers in Egbe, the commercial nerve of Yagba West, announced the decision by the traditional council, chaired by the Elegbe of Egbe, Oba Ayodele Irukera, to shut Oja-Egbe until further notice.
Oja-Egbe is the largest weekly market in Yagbaland. It attracts marketers from Yagba, Pategi and Ekiti and Igbomina areas of Kwara State.
The statement personally signed by the Local Government boss, Oshaloto reads:
“Owing to the surge in the spread of the Corona Virus in which Nigeria has recorded its very first casualty, the Executive Governor of Kogi State has directed the following:
1. Okada services suspended indefinitely.
2. Market and other gathering suspended indefinitely
3. All worship centers suspended indefinitely.
4. Schools (public and private) are hereby closed indefinitely.
5. All other social gatherings like weddings, funerals, naming etc. ceremonies are also hereby suspended.
“Consequently, visits to the office of the SSA Security, Yagba West LG and other offices are hereby postponed indefinitely.
“All heads of security agencies are by this release directed to monitor and enforce compliance. Traditional and religious leaders are to please encourage compliance to among their subjects and/or followers”, the statement added.
