Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, has again warned his Mogajis and Baales to desist from any form of crime.
He insisted that their appointment was for the welfare of their people as well as the development of their respective communities and family compounds.
The first-class traditional ruler stated this in a press statement made by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, on Wednesday.
The Olubadan was also quoted to have said the suspension of Onido of Ido, Oba Muritala Gbolagade Babalola, by the state government was to pave way for proper investigation into the Ido mining incident.
He therefore declared that the suspension of Oba Babalola does not translate to a declaration of vacancy of the Ido Stool.
“It is often remarked by our forebears that when masquerades go about without adequate costume, it calls for soul-searching among the members of the masquerade cult. ‘Aini aso lorun egungun, o to apero fun awon omo eriwo’.
“The current situation in our country as regards security of lives and property calls for serious concern
“We appreciate the government, through the security agencies, for its efforts so far, just as we call for more.
“This is because, for as long as we still have lice on the cloth, it is certain that the nails cannot be rid of blood dripping. ‘Bi ina o ba tan laso, eje o le e tan leekanna’.
“The war against insecurity is still a work in progress and not until the battle is finally won, we won’t keep quiet.
“On our part at the traditional level, we have a lot to do to complement the efforts of the government. As the closest authority to the people, there is need for us to be more vigilant.
“At this juncture, let me sound it loud and clear that the essence of my appointing baales for our local communities is not a license to get involved in crime and criminality.
“Rather, the baales were appointed to oversee to the overall development of their respective communities,” Olubadan stated.
Oba Balogun said, arising from the above stated mandate, “is the need to be mindful of the kind of people we harbour or relate with in our domains.
“It is certain that somebody that would engage in kidnapping successfully must, as a necessity, be familiar with the environment so as to know where to face when the crime is committed.
“The question is where are the members of the community while the criminal is engaging in surveillance. Equally, who are the people we sell land to?
“Is it not absurd and unheard of that ‘foreigners’ now acquire our land in acres and hectares from the baales all in the name of money? Even, the so called developers that now acquire land, how genuine is their intention?
“The Palace is aware too that some mogajis are engaging in land speculations. These they do in connivance with their baales and at the detriment of the generality of the people.
“Let it be reiterated that the zero tolerance resolve of the current Olubadan Advisory Council under my leadership for land grabbing remains unshaken.
“We shall remain unsparing of any identified culprit as we have demonstrated in the recent past,” the Ibadan foremost traditional ruler added.
Olubadan drew what he called a nexus between his concern and the current crisis rocking Ido community and for which the Onido is being made a scapegoat.
“As it is often said, eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. We all must have learnt some lessons in the crisis.
“Be that as it may, the suspension placed on Onido by the state government is to pave way for unhindered investigation and that has not constituted a vacancy for the stool of Onido,” he declared.
