When Standing Tribunal of Inquiry into Chieftaincy Matters in Lagos State led by Justice Titilola Ojikutu-Oshode (Rtd) recommended that Chief Kabiru Adesegun Bahiru, the Kekeniju of Oworonshoki be elevated by the state government as a second class monarch, sons and daughters of Oko Baba Agba within Kosofe Local Government Area were full of joy, believing that their dream of having a traditional ruler has come to reality.
But today, what seems to be good news from the tribunal then for the people of Oko Baba Agba’s community has now turned to prayer point, which they were used to praying to God to touch the heart of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to grant their desire of having a monarch.
The Standing Tribunal of Inquiry into Chieftaincy Matters in the state had on November 9, 2021, recommended the elevation of Kekeniju of Oworonshoki to a second-class monarch, which according to the five-man panel should be known as Olu of Oko Baba Agba.
The five-man panel which gave the verdict then includes Justice Ojikutu-Oshode (Rtd) who served as chairperson, while Mariam Olaniyi, Mojeeb Agunbiade, Chief Oladapo Atinshola and Jimoh Kazeem all served as members.
The tribunal was constituted by virtue of Lagos State Legal Notice-LSLN No 7 of 2003, published in Lagos State Extraordinary Official Gazette No 44 Vol. 34 of December 31, 2001, with effect from October 4, 2001.
But despite the constitutionality of the tribunal to make recommendations for the executive arm of the government on chieftaincy matters, two years after it gave its verdict on the case of Oko Baba Agba’s community, the state governor, Sanwo-Olu is yet to give his consent for the upgrading of Kekeniju of Oworonshoki to a second class monarch.
Some of the community who were still looking up to God and the state governor on the matter, have appealed to Governor Sanwo-Olu to urgently look into the recognition of the stool of Olu Oko Baba Agba, saying this intervention would expedite development in the community.
The community leaders in their various analyses on what it means to them to have a traditional ruler in Oko Baba Agba, said the recognition of the stool would further give credit to the traditional institution of the community and it would empower their monarch to use his influence in promoting a conducive environment for residents to live, work and transact their businesses without intimidation.
The leaders in their appraisal of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration, commended him for restoring the office of rural development back into the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, saying the development is a pointer to the fact that Mr Governor is much more interested in development at the grassroots.
Chief Nasiru Salami, who is the representative of the community and also the chairman of the Olu Oko Baba Agba Royal family, said since Chieftaincy matters are synonymous with development, which is why the governor restored the office of rural development to the ministry, he should take it further by granting the prayers of the sons and daughters of Oko Baba Agba by recognising the stool of Olu Oko Baba Agba to aid development of the community.
He said communities and towns that enjoy development in the state are mostly the ones that have recognized traditional institutions.
“The increase in the membership of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the state from 48 to 84 so far by Mr Governor, is a reflection of his respect for the traditional institution; it also reflects the importance his administration attached to traditional institutions and its relevance. Little wonder he moved the office of rural development to the ministry of local government and chieftaincy matters,” Salami said.
Salami also posited that since security remains one of the “T.H.E.M.E.S Plus” developmental agenda of the Governor, the recognition of the Olu Oko Baba Agba stool would further give credit to the traditional institution of the community.
“It would also empower the Oba to use his influence in promoting a conducive environment for residents to live, work and transact their businesses without intimidation.
“We state with great concern that our brother and father Chief Kabiru Adesegun Bashir; the present Kekeniju Opemoluwa of Oworonshoki is yet to be recognized as the Olu Oko Baba Agba having satisfied all requirements.
“We stand to be corrected, but we make bold to say that Oko Baba Agba Community deserve the honour of the stool of Olu Oko Baba Agba by all standards. The report of the Standing Tribunal of Inquiry into Chieftaincy Matters in respect of the Olu Oko Baba Agba was positive. All recommendations of the consenting authorities were obtained among other requirements in consonance with the extant law.
“It is, therefore, unheard of that the dreams of our heroes past and great ancestors are yet to come to pass on being actualized to date. We humbly appeal to your Excellency to give due recognition to the stool of Olu Oko Baba Agba and give the staff of office to our illustrious son; Chief Kabiru Adesegun Bashir whose emergence was widely accepted.
“Finally, we commend Mr Governor for restoring the office of rural development back into the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, this development is a pointer to the fact that Mr Governor is much more interested in development at the grassroots,” he said.
In the same vein, the Bobaselu of Oko Baba Agba, Chief Ayinde Sulaiman told us that the community is eager and patiently waiting to receive the blessing of Mr Governor and the Council of Obas ad Chiefs led by His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Osuolale Akiolu, the Olowo Eko I on the issue of the ratification of their community traditional stool.
While shedding more light into the historical background of Oko Baba Agba, Sulaiman said, then a riverine remote village where their fore fathers lived, Oko Baba Agba has always been a peaceful community, and would remain so, but the recognition traditional stool would further boost economic prosperity of the land and by extension the state.
