Newly appointed Mogajis and Baales of Ibadanland were on Monday charged to use their respective new positions to assist their communities towards making the larger Ibadan metropolis more conducive for the inhabitants and not to oppress the people by reselling or reclaiming the family land already sold or gifted to people by their forebears.
This charge was made by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II while conferring the new titles of Mogaji and Baale on the beneficiaries at the ancient Aliiwo palace, Agodi-Gate-Oje-Beere road, Agodi, Ibadan.
In a press statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by the Personal Assistant (Media) to Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola yesterday, the new Mogajis and Baales were reminded that the new titles did not confer on them the authority and power to revisit sold or gifted land for whatever reason, but to use their respective positions for the betterment of the people.
Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, who admonished the new Mogajis and Baales on behalf of the monarch told them that “your appointment is to assist our revered father, Olubadan to make your respective compounds and communities better. You owe it a duty to all to intervene in anything that can improve the living conditions of your people.
“If there’s anybody that needs assistance in any form, your new position has conferred on you the responsibility of being their haven of refuge and our progenitors will always be there for you. Whatever you need to meet up with all these challenges will be provided for you. Olubadan’s desire is for peace at all times and there’s no price that’s too much for you to pay to key into this mantra”, Oba Ajibade added.
At the ceremony which had in attendance some of the members of the Olubadan Advisory Council, Engr. Oseni Morufu Babalola, Olufemi Ayodeji Ige, Timothy Adewumi Adesina and Prof. Musa Abiodun Aibinu were appointed Mogajis of Alaadorin, Yemetu, Ogirilogun, Ita-Baale Ogboriefon, Jakin Olukade, Elekuro and Aibinu Omo, Oranyan area.
While Adedayo Akinola Sanda, Alhaji Mutiu Olugboyega Badmus and Prof. Abiodun Gbolagade became Mogajis of Alegongo, (Beyerunka), Apadi, (Oja’ba) and Lato (Oke-Labo) families respectively, Raifu Gbadeyanka, Dr. Gbadebo Odebode, Muideen Rafiu Badmus, Olatilewa Olufemi, Abraham Ademola Asare Owo and Mufutau Arasi Ogunwale were appointed as Baales of Jenriyin, Eniosa Igbo-Oloyin, Oyagaga, Ogaara Odugun, Ayetoro and Jaarija villages respectively.