THE IMPACT OF EMIR’S MARKET ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF ILORIN EMIRATE, NIGERIA

OLOKOOBA ISSA NASIRU,
olokooba.in@unilorin.edu.ng/olokoobain@yahoo.com
Phone number: +2348060071895

BALOGUN, Idayat Nike
Email: idnikebalogun@yahoo.com/balogun.in@unilorin.edu.ng
Tel. No.: +2348035848818

&

ABDULSALAM, Alliyu Ayodele (Ph.D)
Email: aladealliyuay@gmail.com/abdulsalam.aa@unilorin.edu.ng
Phone numbers: +2348036252287

SOCIAL SCIENCES EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, ILORIN

Abstract
Socio-economic development of a community is determined by the size of its market where the needs of people are made available to enhance standards of living through business transaction. As every society needs a market for its economic growth, markets are necessary for the flow of goods and services from the producers to the consumers. Emir’s Market (Oja Oba) in Ilorin is not an exception as its growing strength in both socio-economic affiliation and business transaction is admirable. The commercial activities in Emir’s market make it unique among other markets not only in Ilorin but also in Kwara State. Its impact on socio-economic development of Ilorin, and other communities both inside and outside the state cannot be underrated. This paper thus, examined the origin and development of Emir’s Market, business activities in the market and its impact on the socio-economic development of inhabitants, individuals, group of people and communities in the state. Descriptive research of Qualitative survey was adopted. Primary and secondary sources through oral interview were used to gathering information from men and women who are traders in the market and elderly members in the city. The findings of the study revealed that the market has created financial independence and employment opportunities for inhabitants as skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers in the communities around the market. The commercial activities in the market has enhanced the business transaction of the city, improved the status of individuals, groups of individuals and the society at large. To improve the standard of the market and wellbeing of the traders, it is recommended among others that adequate measures should be put in place to control the traffic congestion; suitable motor park should be provided; hawking along the street in the market should be prevented; rehabilitation of the roads inside the market and those roads that link the market; and appropriate rules and regulations should be made to guide the conduct of the traders and their associations.
Key words: Emir’s Market, Goods and Services, Business transaction and Socio-Economic development, Community
Introduction
A market is a place where sellers and buyers gather daily or in specific days to exchange goods and services. It is a contract between buyers and sellers on the goods and services. It is also a centre for the exchange of goods and ideas about current issues in the society. It is an authorized public concourse of buyers and sellers of commodities meeting at a place more or less strictly limited or defined at an appointed time (Ogungbemi, 2011). It is a place where buyers and sellers are in free contact with one another and the prices of the goods tend to equalize easily and quickly. Markets are necessary for the flow of goods and services from the producers to the final consumers. Every society needs a market for its economic growth. Thus all societies must provide for needs of their members to enhance standards of living through business. The creation of a convenient place where buyers and sellers meet face to face to exchange goods and services such as in Emir’s Market becomes necessary. 
With the world turning into a global village due to technological advancement, market has gone beyond the personal contact of buyers and sellers meeting in a particular place to transact business. Market embraces all contacts whether personal or through e-commerce which goods and services can be bought and sold. There are two types of contact in market: personal and non-personal contact. Personal contact occurs when the buyer and seller have face to face interaction on business transaction while it is non-personal contact when the transaction is done through communication channels like text messages, written letters, telephone calls, e-mail messages, telex, and telegram among others (Onuorah, 2015).
There are many factors which determine and promote the socio-economic activities in the market. These include types of goods and services available in the market, geographical location of the market, nearness to labour force, status of the people in the market, rate of advertisement of goods and services, accessible roads, closeness to financial institutions, availability of social amenities, quality and quantity of good and services available, availability of credit facilities, effective means of transportation and communication, technological development and availability of experts on different goods and services in the market among others (Anyaele, 2003). Emir’s Market in Ilorin has many of these factors which have improved, at great extent, the socio-economic interactions among the people patronizing the market.    
Origin and Development of Emir’s Market in Ilorin
Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State is located on Latitude 80.30N and
Longitude 40.35E. It is found in North-Central Geo political zone. Ilorin consists of three (3) Local Government Areas namely Ilorin West, Ilorin East and Ilorin South Local Government Areas and has about thirty (30) political wards under Local Government in the state (Adedokun, 2013). The creation of Kwara State in 1967 in which Ilorin serves as the state capital has economic impacts on the others communities in numbers of areas. Today, Ilorin has witnessed more physical expansion with much vibrant economic development. It has economically contributed to socio-economic development of the other communities surrounding it such as Shao, Gamon, Oko-Olowo, Eye-Korin and Oke-Oyi, among others. 
Although, Ilorin developed as an administrative centre, both economic and social activities have greatly influenced its growth in recent times. The major occupations of the indigenes are farming, pottery making and weaving among others. There are also a greater percentage of the people who engaged in trading activities, while others are self-employed in various other areas such as mechanics, carpentry, artisans among others. These different occupations performed by individuals of different ethnics not only make them maintain peace and unity but also attract people from other towns and states who occasionally came into the town to settle permanently in search of what they could do occupationally in Emir’s Market to sustain their living (Alhaji Hassan, Interview, 2016).
The city, Ilorin is also blessed with many Islamic scholars who specialize in different branches of Islamic knowledge at the same time engage in one type of business or the others. Some of them sell honey, caps, chickens, goats, Islamic materials such as books, and others. This is in line with the teachings of Islam that enjoins that human beings engage in one business or the others in a lawful manner to sustain their livelihood and wellbeing. Many of these scholars teach children Qur’ān and other Islamic books like Hadiths and Fiqh, among others. Some are traders who move from one part of the country to another while others are bus and taxis drivers within the city and outside the state (Mallam Ibrahim, Interview, 2016). 
Many of these people carry out their business in Emir’s market. In the early years of the establishment of Emir’s Market (Oja Oba), the market was famous for its cordial relationship between buyers and sellers. The Emir’s market which occupied the present site of the Central Jummat Mosque was a night market in those days and was usually opened at about 8.00pm and kept open till about 1.00am daily. The market was established in 1820s during the reign of Abdul-Salam, first Emir of Ilorin. The eighth Emir, Emir Abdulkadir also encouraged the preservation, usage and development of the market and other markets throughout the Emirate. In 1929, Ilorin town alone had thirteen main markets spread all over the wards of the town such as Emir’s and Are Alapata Markets (Emir’s Quarter), Oloje and Omoda Markets (Ajikobi Quarter), Pakata and Alanamu Markets (Alanamu Quarter), Gada, that is Oja-Iya Market (Fulani Quarter), Gambari, Ojagboro, Pake, Awodi, Ondoko and Kankatu Markets (Gambari Quarter), all of which with the exception of Kankatu, were supervised by a salaried Sarkin Kasuwa (Chief of the Market) that was appointed by the Emir (Jimoh, 1994). 
The appointment of the first Iyalaje of the market, Alhaja Abebi Akosile in 1987 by the ninth Emir of the Ilorin, Alhaji Dul-Qarinayn Gambari who became the Emir in 1959, helped in the growth and expansion of the market. She was also the President of the National Traders and Market Leaders Council of Nigeria. She played a major role in the development of Emir’s market in Ilorin. One of her achievements is that, she made food available in the market during its scarcity in order to check the persistent increase in prices food stuff in Ilorin, and Kwara State as a whole in 1990s. She in conjunction with some private businessmen and organization bought food items in large quantity and sold them to the masses at an open market at a reduced price (Jawondo, 2005).  
The nomenclature “Oja-Oba” Emir’s market derived its name from its proximity to the Emir's Palace. The market pulls a huge crowd from all over the state every day of the week. The market, according to a veteran market woman and the Iya Loja (the market leader) who is also the Iya Laje, commented that the market has been serving economic purpose even as a little child, she remembers going to the market to buy and sell. On the establishment of the market, another school of thought believed that the establishment of the early mosques was said to have attracted establishment of markets in those places as they drew population. For instance, at Ori-Oke Mosque, Ago Market grew, at Idi- Ape Mosque, Idi-Ape Market was founded, and at Munabai Mosque, Oke-kura Market was established (Jawondo, 2005). However, only the first two survived to the present. Many people from different part of the state used to come to the mosque especial on Friday to buy and sell various kind of good and services which they believe they could not get or at cheaper price until another Friday. Emir’s Market today has become commercial centre which serve economic purpose for individuals in the town. The market expanded in space and commercial activities. It has expanded to other areas that surrounding the market, such as Akodudu, Ita-Ajia, Gegele, Adifa, Agaka and others which have become parts of the market where different and specific goods and services are bought and sold (Alhaji Olayinka Aare, Interview, 2016).
Business Activities at Emir’s Market in Ilorin
Current commercial activities in the market could be classified as large-scale and small-scale types. The large scale operations take place mainly in big shops such as shops at Ode-Abudu and Idi-Agbede in the market while the small scale activities take place as retailing in shops such as small kiosk, hawking, and other forms of petty trading which are common among the inhabitants of the market. Traders come from different parts of the city and states to patronise the market by buying in large quantities in order to sell the goods in small quantities in their various communities (Iya Serifat, Interview, 2016). There are many merchants within the market areas who specialise in cosmetics materials, such as traders at Ode-Abudu and Idi-Agbede; motor spare parts traders at Agaka; babyware traders at Gegele; plastic goods traders at Ita-Ajia and Gbagba; stationeries traders at Adifa, food stuff at Idi-Ape and textile materials traders at Faagba; Kolanut, pepper, fish and food stuff traders at Idi-Ape and other goods and services among others. 
In the same market, there are Islamic scholars who specialise on selling of Islamic books and other Islamic materials at the front of the Idi-Ape Mosque. They are much organised people and display their goods at their shop for people to see and buy. They viewed Emir’s market as a centre where people from different parts of the state come to transact business. On Friday, they do display goods like different types of the Holy Qur’ān, Islamic literatures (indigenous and foreign) electronic software containing Islamic songs, Quranic recitation, sermons and other programmes for the attention of worshippers. Portraits of verse(s) of the Holy Qur’ān, Hadith, and lectures of Islamic scholars were displayed for sales. Likewise, rosaries, perfume, and herbs are also seen displayed to the admiration of the worshippers (Jawondo, 2005). Bricklayers are also present at Isale-Oja and Ode-Kawu for those who need their services and building and construction materials for rent. 
Emir’s Market is a very popular market in the state. It is a daily market where there are thousands of people from all over the state come to sell and buy. Often the market population overflows into the road, making it extremely hazardous to drive a car through the market. Goods and commodities are brought into Emir’s Market from Lagos, Osogbo and Ibadan. Most groups of commodities and services that are traded in Emir’s Market are organized in trade guilds, each of which had some kinds of recognized heads who oversee and control other merchants in the market. Different shops, and spaces are allocated to sellers of the same commodity. Sellers are in different variation (Olayinka Aare, Interview, 2016). 
Other economic and commercial activities within the market areas include, banking and co-operative societies. These provide essential financial assistance and advice on transactions to traders and businessmen. The United Bank for Africa (UBA) is at the centre of the market. There are other co-operative societies which give short, medium and long term loan to the traders to enhance their business. Business centres such as typing and photocopying centres have sprung up in the market in recent years providing essential secretariat services to those who need their services. They could be found at Isale-Oja and Idi-Agbede in the market.  
Transportation service through buses, tricycles and motorcycles which convey traders and their goods from different part of the state even outside the state is another commercial activity in the market. The services are at different areas in the market such as at Ile-Oba for those that are going to Garage Offa, Ganmo, Oro, Omu-Aran and others in western part of the country. Also it is at Idi-Ape for people from Alore, Oloje, Oko-Olowo and other places. Transport services also available at Adifa for those that are going to Maraba, Oke-Oyi, Fate, State Polytechnic and other places.  At Agaka side, the service is provided for those that are going to Eye-Korin, Otte, Ogbomoso and other places along the areas. This service provides employment opportunities for people especially those that are living around the market and in the city (Amuda Cement, Interview, 2016). Traders and consumers depend largely on road network for the execution of their daily assignments such as movement of farm and produce from the rural area and industrial products to the market. The roads are always sanitised and maintained by the State and Local Government Council to ensure their suitability for traffic flow in and around the market. The State Government also generates income through the collection of rate and rents in the market (Alhaji Hassan, Interview, 2016).
Impact of Emir’s Market on Socio-Economic Development in Ilorin
The impact of Emir’s Market on the social and economic, political, and cultural aspect of life cannot be over emphasized. The roles of the market on social and economic development are discussed under the following sub-headings:
Social Impact of Emir’s Market
Emir’s Market socializes the traders and consumers of goods. Many associations and groups are created to educate and enlighten their members on how to improve their businesses. The marketers have different associations and groups but in the same Oja Oba Trader Union. Alhaji Hassan Agaka is the Chairman of the Union while Alhaji Olayinka Aare and Mr. Sulyman Olarewaju are the Vice Chairman I and II respectively. The Trader Union is the greatest union for all other associations and groups in the market. There is also Joint Market Association which Alhaja Oloriegbe Iyabo serves as chairperson of the association. Under the union and association, there are many groups in the market which come together as a result of selling the same commodities and also to protect their common interest. These groups include: Beans Marketer Group, Meat Marketer Group, Pepper Marketer Group, Dry Fish Marketer Group, Gold Marketer Group, Plastic Marketer Group, Shoe Marketer Group, Palm Oil and Maggi Marketer Group, Dry Meat Marketer Group, Gari Marketer Group, Jewellery Marketer Group, Yam Flour Marketer Group and Cigarette Marketer Group among others. It is under these groups and associations that they formulate and implement policies on how to improve the market, disseminate important information and orientate their members on how to improve their wellbeing (Asiata Adisa, Interview, 2016).
The market also promotes social integration among different ethnics group in the market.  Different tribes such as Yorubas, Hausas, Nupes, Igbos, Fulanis and Gobris among others trade in the market. This promotes Socio-cultural development within the city as the market witnesses the patronage of a very diverse group of people from all over the state. It brings about interaction of people from different background and cultures through economic motive and maximization of profit ((Iya Serifat, Interview, 2016).
Economic Impact of Emir’s Market
Commercial activities in the market provide employment opportunities for individuals and group of people. Skilled and unskilled labours in the market engage in one form of business or service to sustain their life. The market has also provided opportunities of employment to people who otherwise would have been jobless. The local government authority employs cleaners, security, revenue collectors while shop owners employ the services of sales persons as well as security (Amuda Yusuf Adisa, Interview, 2016). In the market, many people in the city are able to earn decent living which also improves their standard of living. Traders within the market have also brought about considerable improvement in the economy of the city that is evidenced in better standards of living of the inhabitants and also boost their financial independence and empowerment for skilled and semi-skilled labour. 
Emir’s Market also boosts subsistence agriculture. It provides an outlet for the farm products like yam, maize, beans, rice, groundnut, mango and vegetables by small scale farmers in the city and its environment. Traders in Emir’s Markets also form co-operative societies formal or informal, whereby members involved save or donate certain amounts periodically assistance and to improve their working capital. Emir’s Market boosts small scale or infant manufacturing and promotes industrialization in Ilorin. The products of primary sectors of the economy are available in the market as raw materials for industrial uses. It also provides a readymade outlet for goods and services which are produced by the infant industry for wholesalers and retailers to maximize their profit and final consumers to maximize high satisfaction (Alhaji Hassan, Interview, 2016). 
The market has considerably improved and enhanced the quality of life of the people in the city. Presently, it has commercial bank that is United Bank for Africa (UBA) within the market which helps traders and group of marketers in their business transactions. There is also fuel and police station in the market which makes fuel available for the traders to carry out their business and ensure security of life and property in the market respectively. The trade union in the market also provides security for traders and goods and services in the store. This has tremendously improved living conditions of the people (Amuda Yusuf Adisa, Interview, 2016).
Socio-Religious Impact of Emir’s Market
The weekly Jum’ah Services have been contributing in various ways to the economic development in Ilorin and by extension Kwara State. Jum’ah Service is very important to the Muslims thus they prepared for it and which they involve in buying of various goods they need in the market. The traders also confirmed that they sell more commodities on Friday as a result of the congregations that patronise their commodities. The service directly or indirectly boosts economic activities in the city (Iya Serifat, Interview, 2016). 
Conclusion and Recommendations
The roles which the Emir’s Market play on socio-economic aspect of life of individuals in Ilorin and its neighbouring places as well as the development of the city, are numerous. These roles include employment opportunities, availability of goods and services at cheaper price and integration of different ethnic groups and historical background. The social interaction and relationship that exist among these ethnics in the market have contributed a lot to socio-economic and cultural development in Ilorin and has enhanced peace and unity in the state generally. Furthermore, the traders in the market and their various groups and associations also assist the government on the management of the market through advice, payment of rates and rents to the government and implementation of government policies for effective management, maintenance and adequate security of life and commodities in the market. All these had done and still doing a lot in the proper management and supervision of the conduct of the traders and their business transactions. 
In order to improve the standard of the market and welfare conditions of the traders in the market, the following are recommended: adequate measures should be put in place to control the traffic congestion; suitable motor park should be provided; hawking along the street in the market should be prevented; rehabilitation of the roads inside the market and those that link the market; appropriate rules and regulations should be made to guide the conduct of the traders and their associations; and government should ensure adequate security of life and property in the market.
    
References
A	Written Materials
Adedokun, O.M. (2012). An analysis of spatial nature of urban activities in Ilorin, Nigeria, Universal Journal of Education and General Studies, Vol. 1 (11) 364-373.
Anyaele, J.U. (2003). Comprehensive commerce for senior secondary schools. Revised Edition: Lagos, A. Johnson Publishers LTD. 
Jawondo, I.A. (2005a). The Socio-Political Effects of the Conferment of titles in Ilorin Emirate in the 20th Century, Journal of the Nigeria Association of Teachers of Islamic Studies, Vol. 8 41-51 Ijebu-Ode Shebotimo publication.
Jawondo, I.A. (2005b). The economic and socio-political development of Ilorin emirate in the twentieth century: the place of the Jummat Mosque.
Jimoh, L.A.K. (1994). Ilorin the Journey so far. Ilorin: Atoto Press.
Ogungbemi, T.M. (2011). The Growth of market in Ikare Akoko: A case study of Osele of Osele Market (1840 till present). Unpublished B.A. project, Department of History and International Studies, University of Ilorin.
Onuorah, A.E. (2015). Socio-economic structure of Nigeria. Kaduna: National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna.
B	Interviews
Alhaja Asiatah Adisa, Idi-ape Compound Ilorin, Age, 65.
 Mallam Ibrahim, Okiki Adini, Iso-Tirah, Idi-ape mosque, Ilorin, Age, 49.
Amuda Yusuf Adisa, Idi-ape Compound, Ilorin, Age, 35.
Alhaji Olayinka Aare, Vice Chairman I, Oja Oba Trade Union, Ilorin, Age, 47.
Alhaji Hassan, Baba Sale Compound, Idi-ape, Ilorin, Age, 62.
Iya Sherifat, Member of Oil and Maggi Market Group, Okolo Compound, Akodudu, Ilorin, Age, 57.