Odogi-Kabba (Kogi)—reconstruction of the 200-year old Odogi traditional market in Kabba-Bunu Local Government of Kogi has commenced.

The project, being executed under the World Bank assisted Fadama III programme, will be completed soon.

Chairman of the Fadama Community Association, FCA, Mr. Samuel Olobatoke made this known in an interview in Kabba, Tuesday.

Olobatoke said the project of 24 cubicles and VIP latrines would cost N1.83 million provided by the World Bank, with counterpart funding from the community and the Federal and state Governments.

He said the market had historical and traditional significance having served the fore fathers of the community and its neighbouring towns and villages for more than 200 years.

He said successive rulers of the community danced in the market as the last ritual before their installation.

He said rulers who failed to perform the ritual had their ascension declared null.
He said: “It has been our age-long dream to improve this market because our great forefathers traded here.

“It is believed that any produce brought here does not return home unsold. You must sell it.”

He regretted that prior to the Fadama project intervention, commercial activities in the market were conducted under the scorching sun and the rains.

He said the hash weather hindered patronage of the market by Okene and Akoko people in the state.

“Our land is fertile and despite the influence of petroleum, our people still depend on farming for survival and upkeep of families,” he said.

Olobatoke hinted that the rural_urban drift was now in a reversed order as a result of the choking_up of the urban areas.

He said youths in the area were returning to their villages and places of naissance to engage in modernised farming.