Twelve traditional rulers in Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, have endorsed a real estate expert, High Chief Kayode Ayetiwa, as the new monarch for the stool of Oba of Bariga.
Chief Ayetiwa, who is the current Baale of Ilaje community in Bariga was nominated during a monthly meeting held on Tuesday by the traditional rulers at the secretariat of the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
The meeting was attended by elders of the community, principal members, youths, and community members that also threw their weight behind the decision reached by the traditional rulers.
The traditional rulers, who are Baales of the 12 communities in the LCDA said Chief Ayetiwa was their preferred candidate and that he should be installed as the new monarch for the Bariga kingdom.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, the representative of the Baales, Chief Wasiu Aro Jinadu, the Baale of Abule-Okuta stressed that Ayetiwa’s selection was a unanimous decision of the royal fathers in Bariga Kingdom and that the name was picked while scrutinizing all candidates shortlisted to assume the throne.
“We, the 12 Baales in the LCDA, at our monthly meetings have endorsed Chief Kayode Ayetiwa to be our king in Bariga, because he is very capable and he was born, bread and brought up in Bariga. All his businesses are in Bariga and he has the power to run the Obaship in this town successfully
“We are ready to present him to the local government chairman, who will in turn present him to the State governor for final approval.”
Also speaking, Alhaji Mukaila Shogbamu, the Baale of Apelehin, Bariga, said the nomination of Chief Kayode Ayetiwa as the Oba-Elect was a joint decision of all the 12 Baales in the LCDA.
According to him, the nomination of Chief Kayode Ayetiwa as Oba of Bariga was not the first, but rather the third time presentations would be made to to the government to appoint one of the Baales as Oba of Bariga.
“The nomination of Chief Ayetiwa as been the tradition we met, and Chief Kayode Ayetiwa is very energetic, able and capable to rule Bariga as king.
“I call on all the residents of Bariga to cooperate and support the Baales in our nomination of Chief Kayode Ayetiwa as Oba-Elect of Bariga, because he is capable to rule us as Oba”.
Speaking on his nomination as Oba of Bariga-designate, Chief Kayode Ayetiwa, described his selection as a welcome development and that it is what had been destined by God for him, saying I accept it and I am ready to serve the people of Bariga effectively.
He added that his selection was a call to serve the people and to ensure that the palace worked for the progress of every individual irrespective of their status in the kingdom.
“Part of my priority areas after ascending the throne will be security. Talking about security, I understand Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is doing his best to keep all Lagosians safe, but we must not leave the security of lives and property at the doorstep of the governor alone.
“As the representative of my people, I will initiate relevant conversations, and ensure safety of life and property with my domain. We will support the governor within our powers to protect our people by working with relevant security agencies in protecting resident in the kingdom, he said.
