OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
The Youth of Aminkale Town in Agbado-Oke-Ode Local Council Development Area LCDA, on Monday organised a peaceful rally bearing two large banners to decry the planned imposition of a Baale on Aiyetobi Community of Aminkale, describing it as a flagrant disregard to the wishes of the people and a clear violation of the due process of nominating a Baale in Alimosho LGA and Lagos State in general.
Comrade Rasak Adegoke, the Head of the Youth Association who led the rally spoke with pressmen decrying the planned imposition of a Baale on Aiyetobi community which they explained is directly under Aminkale Town having a substantive Baale presiding over the entire Community.
Comrade Rasak said, "We are not just residents of this Community because some of us were born here with our parents having houses and properties here, so we have a thorough knowledge of what is going on here. The plan to install a Baale on Aiyetobi is a slap on the people of the community who were not even consulted in the first place but were rudely shocked to hear from the Local Council Area that a date has been fixed for the installation, making all the landlords, residents and titled Chiefs to join the Youths to say a big 'NO' the plan.
"The process of nominating a Baale, requires that the head of the indigenous family should in consonance with his people forward a name for such purpose, which was not adhered to in this circumstance. It is not also in place for the government to even suggest the need for a Baale in a community, rather the land owners are to solicit it, which if it were to be done, should be done by High Chief Ayoade Akeem Oladejo, the present Baale of Aminkale Town who is also the head of the indigenous family in Aminkale including Aiyetobi." Rasak emphasised.
Speaking about the rally and the agitations of the Youth in his Community, High Chief Ayoade Akeem Oladejo said, "I'm also aware of the planned imposition of a Baale on Aiyetobi a stone throw away from here. It beats my imagination that the neccesary procedures were not followed, which includes; that the indigenous family of the community making the request to the Alimosho Local Government Area through the Agbado-Oke-Ode Local Council, after cross-checking specified parameters on the person nominated, it will be ratified by the Alimosho Joint Chieftaincy Committee, comprising of all the Obas in Alimosho, comprising about 15 of them before such a person will be made a Baale.
"I went through all that process before I was installed as the Baale of Aminkale Town which is the central community adjoined by Alaaso, Ogundare, Aiyetobi and Estate which are the four quarters under my jurisdiction. After my investigations I discovered that Oba Sulaimon Suberu Odoalabe of Ajasa town, who is not related to our family nor have a direct or indirect control over this place or any the quarters I mentioned above.
"He is the one behind the planned imposition contrary to all the stipulated requirements, but was progressing in error owing to the support he is enjoying from Honourable David Famuyiwa, the Executive Chairman of the Agbado-Oke-Odo LCDA. A further investigation also revealed that he has sent invites to Obas to attend, which was confirmed to me by one of the Obas." Baale added.
When we contacted Honourable Famuyiwa, the Executive Chairman, Agbado-Oke-Odo, he denied having knowledge of the planned imposition of a Baale on Aiyetobi, saying, "Aminkale has three indigenous Families and each are entitled to come forward with suggestions for the enthronement of a Baale.
The only people entitled to such protest are members of the indigenous families who may have contrary claims. Additionally, their protest should not be that a Baale should not be chosen, rather they should question if he has the right qualities and belonging to the indigenous family. Also, when a Town is expanding, the admistrative structure is further broken to enhance development and ease of governance."
Chief Kehinde Azeez, the Atuluse of Aminkale explained that he has being a landlord in the Community for over 22 years, saying, "we only know the family of High Chief Fatai Ali Balogun, the father and the predecessor of the present Baale, this is the family all of us who are landlords here know as the indigenous family of Aminkale town, it is only one and not three as insinuated. Since his days as the Baale and presently with High Chief Ayoade Akeem Oladejo, his son, who is the present Baale we are enjoying unspeakable peace and unprecedented development, making us happy as a people."
In his words, Mr. Ademola Ojo, the first Vice Chairman Aminkale CDA, who said he got his land in the present Aminkale in the nineties, expressed dismay to what the Agbado-Oke-Ode Council Chairman said regarding the appointment of more Baale's as a town develops, stressing that to become a Baale is a traditional position and not a political one that can be handed over to anyone as they wish.
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