N100m Allegation: KWSG releases fund through MSMEs Bureau , Kwara Iyaloja-General reveals

By Matthew Denis

The Kwara State market leader popularly  known as ‘Iyaloja-General’, Hajia Adenike Lambe  has revealed that the N100 million disbursed to  traders in the state was released through the Chief Executive Officer of the State Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Bureau, Mr. Segun Soewu .
It would be recalled that some traders had accused the  Iyaloja General of embezzling the N100 million empowerment fund for Kwara traders.
Speaking during an interview with Pilot Business on Thursday, Lambe said “I heard about the allegation leveled against me over N100Million, that the money was embezzled by me and my subordinates.
“I want to state that the money was promised by the state government about four years ago. Following  pressure from us  on the government to fulfil its promise, the money was later released.
“The money was not given to me as Iyaloja General and was not given to any of my subordinates. Government paid the money into the account of the MSME bureau  under the control of Segun Soewu.
“Anyone whose form was approved will go to the bank to collect his or her money. The money belong to all the 176 markets  in all the16 local governments in the state.
According to her,  all the market leaders of the various markets and  three members each across the 16 Local Governments collected the money.
Lambe stressed that those that collected the money received it through different community banks that were available in their local governments, adding that the list of those who have benefitted are made available.
The Iyaloja noted that the market association is apolitical and a non governmental organisation.
“We belong to everybody. All the political parties that came to our market to campaign were welcomed because we are not sentimental. We work with any government” .
On the N5 million  donation  by the  Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, she said  the money was expended on the ongoing Secretariat project  located at Ultramodern market. If they think I have embezzled their money, they should go to EFCC.
The market leader also debunked the rumour that she has been sacked .
“I have not been sacked; I’m still maintaining my office as the Iyaloja General of Kwara State. All my subordinates are still in office. We are ready to work with the new government. We are transparent in our operation as an association,” she further said.