The leadership of the newly formed Southwest Traditional Baales Forum on Friday paid a courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, at the Olubadan of Ibadanland Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, to formally introduce the forum and seek the monarch’s royal blessing.
During the visit, the forum presented Oba Ladoja with a certificate recognising his exemplary leadership, wisdom and commitment to the preservation and advancement of Yoruba cultural heritage, peace and unity across the Southwest.
The forum also honoured the Olubadan with an appointment as Pioneer Patron of its Supreme Advisory Council, in recognition of his position and experience within the traditional institution.
The forum informed the Olubadan that its maiden meeting would be held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on October 7. The meeting is expected to bring together representatives of Baales from all six states in the Southwest geopolitical, zone – Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Lagos as part of efforts to strengthen unity, cooperation and coordination among traditional grassroots leaders across the region.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional Baales of Ibadanland, Chairman of Association of Traditional Baales, Baale Folorunso Durojaiye Bamitale Ige JP said the Baales remained the grassroots representatives of the traditional institution, playing important roles in maintaining peace, resolving disputes and preserving customs and traditions.
He appealed to the Olubadan to allocate a portion of land within the Olubadan Palace Complex for the establishment of a befitting Baales House, which, according to him, would provide a permanent meeting point for Baales and serve as a centre for preserving the history and identity of the institution.
Baale Ige said the proposed Baales House would further strengthen the relationship between the Baales and the Olubadan Institution and, if established, could become a lasting legacy of the monarch’s reign.
Responding, Oba Ladoja welcomed members of the forum to Ibadan and emphasised the historic importance of Ibadanland within Yorubaland.
The monarch assured the Baales that he would look into their request for the establishment of a Baales House, and promised to offer the association a temporary office where they could meet pending the time the piece of land is granted, while encouraging the forum to sustain its activities and promote cooperation among traditional rulers across the Southwest.
Oba Ladoja also called for greater unity among traditional rulers, political leaders and other stakeholders in Yorubaland, stressing that collective action and cooperation were essential to achieving meaningful development.
Reflecting on the development recorded in the old Western Region, the Olubadan recalled the close relationship that once existed between traditional institutions, political leaders and government, saying traditional rulers played important advisory roles in the administration and development of their communities.
He urged contemporary leaders to draw useful lessons from that era and strengthen regional cooperation in areas including economic development, agriculture, education and security.
On security, the monarch stressed the importance of community-based knowledge, noting that people living within communities often understand their environment better and could therefore contribute significantly to efforts to address insecurity.
Oba Ladoja further encouraged the Southwest Baales Forum to use traditional institutions across the region as platforms for dialogue and collaboration, saying the strength of Yorubaland depended largely on its ability to work together.
He also recalled the contributions of agriculture, particularly cocoa production, to the economy of the old Western Region and called for renewed attention to productive sectors capable of strengthening the region’s economic base.
The visit ended with the Baales expressing appreciation to the Olubadan for receiving the forum and for his willingness to consider their request for a permanent Baales House within the palace complex.
