The President of the Council of Baale, Baale Falola (right) conferring with his executives yesterday at the OK Events Center, venue of this year’s Oko Ilu Day.
By Foluso Adelaja, Executive Editor
Ogun State traditional authorities in Villages and budding towns, notably known as Baale would soon begin to earn deserved remunerations in the state.
The Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun made this known yesterday at the festive Oko Ilu Day held at the OK Events Centre, Ibara GRA, Abeokuta.
The governor who assured the Baale of his government support always noted that the issue of remuneration would be immediately looked into and addressed.
Baale Falola addressing his members at yesterday’s celebration of Oko Ilu Day.
As a token of his good gesture, the governor also gave the Baale four vans to be distributed among the four zones in the state.
He also approved a Secretariat for the Baale which he said would be allotted to them immediately.
Governor Abiodun however pleaded with the Baale to sensitise their people to ensure that they vote for the right candidate in the coming General Elections.
Baale in Ogun State at yesterday’s celebration of Oko Ilu Day.
He noted that the Governor’s Office is not a Beer Parlour, hence it cannot be occupied by just anybody.
Speaking exclusively with THE STATEPOST, immediately after the departure of the governor from the event, the President of the Ogun State Council of Baale, Baale Tunji Falola said he was enthused by Governor Abiodun’s attendance.
Baale Falola, who is also the Baale of Oke-Yidi, Lantoro, Abeokuta, said the attendance of the governor is not only a mark of regards for Baale in the state but it marked a watershed in a relationship of mutual respect.
Also speaking with us, Baale Adeoye Olayinka Osibanjo, the Baale of Igbokutu, Odogbekun, Isiwo and the Chairman of the Ijebu Division of the Council of Baale, noted that since the setting up of the Council, Governor Abiodun is the first governor to honour our invitation.
He noted that “to us, he remains the best governor ever as he had assured us that by and by, Baale shall be accorded their positions of respect.
Baale Osinbajo who is also the Secretary of the Ogun State Council of Baale said all Baale would work for Abiodun’s return to Governor’s Office next year.
Asked how they could do that, he responded: ” Leave that to us. When he came out newly in 2019, in my town, he was stoned by the youth but we know the homework we did to make them accept him, we will still work harder for him”.
