THE Ogun State government has unfolded plans to begin the registration of village chiefs known as baales across the four traditional councils in the state to checkmate their activities and make adequate provision for their welfare.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, recently while making clarifications on issues of non-payment of monthly stipends to some Baales in Ewekoro Local Government Area at a plenary with the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs at the Assembly Complex.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs in the Ministry, Mr. Dolapo Adewunmi, stated that the move became necessary to ascertain the exact number of approved baales by the state government and to also put an end the proliferation of baale rulership by some traditional rulers in the state “The ministry is planning to update the list of baales in the state, look into non-payment of monthly stipends by some councils to their baales as well as take necessary measures to end the irregularities,” Ojuko stated. He also warned those parading themselves as local chiefs without certification from prescribed authorities and the local government to regularize their claims or face the full wrath of the law.
Making clarifications on the issue of non- payment of monthly stipends to some affected baales in Ewekoro Local Government Area, Ojuko appealed to affected chiefs to exercise patience as the ministry would investigate the matter and resolve it immediately, noting that government and traditional rulers are partners in progress in democracy. Earlier, the aggrieved local chiefs from Ewekoro Local Government led by Chief Gabriel Olusesan said they were worried about their exclusion from the government’s monthly stipends, calling on the House to mediate between them and the Egba Traditional Council.