Offa Community raises N13m for reconstruction of Owode market

Indigenes of Offa in Kwara State have raised N13m towards the reconstruction of Owode market that was ravaged by fire about a forthnight ago.

The Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi disclosed this on Friday while receiving a delegation from Senator Bukola Saraki led by the Director-General, ABS constituency office, Alhaji Musa Yeketi at his palace in Offa.

The royal Father said the amount was contributed by indigines of the town both at home and in diaspora.

He said the amount will bring little succour to the inferno victims.

The monarch expressed appreciation to Saraki for sending the high- powered team to symphatise with the community.

"Our community is deeply touched and we believe that all of us must stand up in our usual communal collaboration to come to the aid of the victims", the royal father said.

The traditional ruler said there is no compound that does not have a person among the fire victims, adding, "it is painful that people who fend for themselves now sit at home doing nothing."

He disclosed that "I have to quickly rush home from Umrah (lesser Hajj) in order to personally oversee the repair works and bring succour to the people".

The monarch said they embark on the fund raising following the economic downturn in the country.

He noted that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of reconstructing the market and put smiles on the faces of the victims.

Earlier, the Leader of the team, Alhaji Musa Yeketi, whose team had visited the victims and inspected the damaged shops said Saraki was deeply touched by the incident.

He urged the monarch and People of Offa to express gratitude to God that life was not lost to the inferno.