As usual, it is brisk business at the Kwara State Old Motor Spare Parts Market, Ipata Oloje, Ilorin, Kwara State. There is no room for sluggards, as scores of able bodied men, seem to be in a hurry to get things done. As soon as first time visitor arrives at the bustling market, it becomes clear that this is not a place for gorgeously dressed people.

The visitor begins to consciously avoid body contact with crowds of traders and customers passing by. By the time he has finished his transactions for the day, his clothes would have been stained with oil and grease. In fact, the average trader in Ipata Oloje looks as unkempt and greasy as road side auto mechanics.

Apart from the presence of some shops and warehouse around the market ,there is another wall on both sides of the fence and on the adjoining road.

Although the market lacks imposing structures, rows of goods displayed for sale dot the entire area, even as some traders are visibly closing business deals and others initiating fresh ones.

The Herald observed that hundreds of young men from different backgrounds earn their daily meals from this market. In what looks like a typical man's world, it is the survival of the fittest in the market as young men hustle for the attention of potential customers or decide the sharing formular of proceeds from a business deal that has just been accomplished .

Business is often conducted without ethnic bias. As soon as buyer approaches the market, people will request him to know what he wants to buy. With great enthusiasm, young men are eager to lead the visitor to the right place where he can gets what he wants to buy.

If you are a first time visitor to the market, you will be surprised by different questions such as wetting you wan buy? You will most likely to oblige them, because you need a guide to transverse the terrain of the fairly departmental market.

But even if you don't oblige them, they simply move on to another prospect, suspecting that you can find your way around the densely populated market. The youths, often referred to as 'hustlers', are engaged in sourcing some prospective clients for specific shops inside the market and get paid for their services.

Most customers said that they prefer to ask their mechanics to come and get the needed auto spare parts for them because of the challenges of searching for whom to patronize for authentic parts and the ability to strike a favourable bargain. According to them, 'If you do not know the market well, someone may take advantage of your ignorance.

The president of the market, Mallam Obalowu Ayinde, said that all members of the market always abide by the rules and regulations of the association. Ayinde said that there were penalties for any erring offender caught violating the laws guiding the market, adding that members of his association would never involve in nefarious activities.

He debunked the allegation that some members were using charms to procure goods from the public, emphasizing that all goods being sold in the market were got in good terms.

He appealed to the local, state and federal government to come to the aid of the market by providing facilities that could boost its standard. The president called on the government to find lasting solution to the problems affecting the markets, imploring government to reduce the tenement rates to the rest minimum.

He called on the government to build modern toilet in the market saying that provision of water is also necessary. ‘While the road leading to the market is deplorable'.

He however appealed to members of the association to always abide by the rules and regulation of the associations saying that any erring offender caught shall be brought to book.