Oba Taiwo re-instates Baales Zaccheus Adeleye and Akintunde Jonathan

Some weeks back, precisely on October 8, 2019, Alaiyeluwa, Oba Rilwan Oluwalambe Taiwo, wrote Chief  Zaccheus Adeleye and Chief Bakare  Akintunde Jonathan, Baales of  Ilupeju Titun and  Abule Egba Tuntun respectively.

A statement by Princess Aladegoroye which was made available to OpenLife states that in the letter titled “Reinstatement of Chief Zaccheus Adeleye as Baale of Ilupeju Titun Town and Baale Abule Egba Titun , Ojokoro, Lagos,”  the Oba emphasized inter alia “ Sequel to the fulfillment of all what the two Baales were asked to do and its utmost unalloyed patriotism and loyalty to the paramount ruler of Ifako Ijaiye/Ojokoro land, they are hereby reinstated. All privileges, instruments and benefits attached to their offices are also restored back to them. This letter serves as notice to all concerned subjects, general public and relevant government agencies.”

To proof the genuiness of the reinstatement, the respected Oba copied executive chairman, Ifako Ijaiye Local Government, the Executive Chairman, Ojokoro Local Government Development Area, LCDA, Chieftaincy Committee, Ifako Ijaiye/ Ojokoro, Council of Obas, Ojokoro LCDA, Department of State Security, DSS, Ifako Ijaiye/Ojokoro LCDA, Council of Elders, Abule Egba Titun and  Council of Elders, Ilupeju Titun.

What Oba Rilwan Oluwalambe Taiwo did is a demonstration of quality leadership. This is highly commendable, to say the least.

For centuries, before the advent of British rule, governance in different parts of present-day Nigeria was synonymous with traditional institutions and their rulers. Indegenous administration generally centered on  the  traditional  ruler  who  was  considered  the  repository  of  religious,  legislative,  executive  and  judicial knowledge and functions. The  nexus  between  the  traditional  and  modern  has  been  a  central  theme  of  postcolonial  African philosophy. Indeed, traditional modes of thought, behaviour and institutions constitute resources to the projects of modernisation and development.

In effect, the traditional ruler formed the nucleus of governance. Understandably, traditional authority is structured on the basis of hierarchy and status with rules and discipline patterned along environmental peace and developments.

 Given the distance between the Nigerian state and the people arising from continued government arbitrariness and neglect of the needs of the people, Nigerians have strong affiliation to traditional authority for protection.

It was against this backdrop that while the suspension lasted, the good people in the respective towns were denied the traditional services of the Baales especially in contributing positively to the goals of modernization, organic growth, rapid increase in social wealth and economic development. Significantly, the reinstatement has ushered the desired peace and harmony into the communities. This has ushered in love, continuity, and positive image of the community to the outside world. The people earnestly support their Baales and the traditional stool .

The cultural significance of the reign of a traditional ruler cannot be neglected. Peace has since returned to the communities as the wish of the people in having their most trusted and viable traditional ruler is granted.