Owode Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market, Agboyi-Ketu—It was a moment of unexpected joy and emotional relief as Honourable Kafilat Ogbara, Member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, paid a heartfelt visit to the Owode Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market, bringing with her a message of compassion, federal presence, and renewed hope for affected traders.
On April 20, 2025, the market, which has been reeling from the March 6 demolition of thousands of shops, witnessed an emotional outpouring as traders thronged to welcome Hon. Ogbara. The atmosphere, once heavy with grief and uncertainty, was momentarily lifted as she reassured them of her commitment to champion their cause.
Ogbara’s presence was more than symbolic—it was a declaration that the people of Owode Onirin had not been forgotten. Addressing a large gathering of traders and market leaders, she empathized deeply with their plight, condemning the sudden demolition and vowing to escalate their cry for compensation and justice directly to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other relevant authorities.
“I am here not just as your representative in Abuja, but as your sister, your voice, and your advocate,” she declared, drawing loud cheers and chants of solidarity from the crowd. “What happened here is painful. But this is not the end—we will rise again, together.”
Her words sparked jubilation among the market traders, many of whom had feared they had been abandoned in their hour of need. “When she stepped into this market, we felt seen. We felt heard. That alone gave us hope,” said Chief Saheed, a trader who lost his entire stock in the demolition.
Abiodun Hammed, a market leader, confirmed that Hon. Ogbara pledged to liaise with the state government for urgent intervention. “She didn’t come to play politics—she came to listen, to feel our pain, and to promise action,” he said.
For many at the market, Ogbara’s visit was the first time a high-ranking federal official had stood physically among them since the crisis. Her willingness to walk through the ruins, speak with traders one-on-one, and assure them of her dedication to their welfare won her accolades across the market community.
“Her visit brought a new energy to this place,” said Wasiu Adeyemi, another trader. “For the first time in weeks, people are smiling. That’s not politics—that’s people.”
As traders look forward to compensation and a roadmap for rebuilding, many see Hon. Ogbara’s visit as a turning point—not just in their struggle for justice, but in restoring the dignity and livelihoods that were so suddenly stripped away.
In a constituency facing the heat of economic hardship and infrastructural uncertainty, Ogbara’s empathy-driven approach stands out as a symbol of leadership grounded in humanity.
For the resilient community of Owode Onirin, it seems the tides may finally be turning—thanks to a leader who chose to walk with them in their darkest hour.
