Oyo Town witnessed a historic gathering on Thursday, April 30, 2026, as Chief Ismail Kolawole AbdulSalam, popularly known as OlaIya, was officially unveiled and presented as the first Babaloja of Oyo Zone at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo.
The colourful ceremony drew thousands of market traders and artisans from across the zone, under the aegis of the Amalgamation of Oyo Market Traders and Artisans, a coalition representing major stakeholder groups in the state.
Associations present at the event included the Oyo State Market Men and Women, Oyo State Joint Traders Association, National Tomato Marketers Association of Nigeria (NATMAC), Nigeria Youth Traders Cooperative Association (NYTACHAI), National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANT), Associated Commodity Groups, OSATRIN, Companion, among others.
The presentation process was coordinated by leaders from recognised clusters in Oyo State, with Chief (Mrs.) Odunayo Kayode Danjuma playing a prominent role.
Addressing the gathering, Danjuma defended the legitimacy of the presentation, insisting that all constitutional procedures guiding market leadership were strictly followed. She dismissed claims of irregularities or political interference.
“We are here to defend our constitution and set the record straight,” she said. “There is no justification for any delay. The traders have the constitutional authority to choose their Babaloja.”
She explained that the selection process comprising nomination, recommendation and recognition which were duly observed, noting that market leadership decisions rest solely within the traders’ structure.
Oyo Traders however expressed appreciation to the Alaafin for granting the traders’ clusters the opportunity to formally present their nominee at the palace, where the presentation was witnessed by members of the Oyomesi-in-Council.
In goodwill messages, market leaders called for unity among traders, urging stakeholders to avoid divisions that could hinder development. They also advised the newly presented Babaloja to see his position as a call to service, anchored on humility, inclusiveness, and collective progress.
In his response, Chief AbdulSalam thanked market leaders, traditional authorities, and stakeholders for the confidence placed in him. He pledged to prioritize peace, unity, and development across all markets in the Oyo Zone.
The event concluded on a celebratory note, with prayers, music, and jubilant festivities marking what participants described as a significant milestone in the organisation of market leadership in Oyo State.
