Ibeju-lekki council presents official vehicles to Traditional Rulers

By Isaac Joseph Inyang

The Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, on Monday presented official utility vehicles to eleven recognised royal fathers in the council area.

The short handover took place at the Council Secretariat in Igando-Oloja and was attended by the beneficiaries, community representatives and council officials, the council’s media office said.

According to the council, the vehicles are intended to support community engagement, customary dispute resolution and liaison between palace authorities and government agencies at the grassroots. The media office provided the list of beneficiaries for publication.

The beneficiaries named by the council’s media office were: Oba Waliu Razaq Oguntolu (Onibeju of Ibeju); Oba Yisa Toheeb Abidemi Oyedele (Onimedu of Orimedu); Oba Tajudeen Afolabi Elemoro (Onitedo of Oke-Odo Elemoro); Oba Muhideen Balogun (Onisolu of Solu Alade); Oba Abdulhakeem Adisa (Ojomu of Lakowe); Oba Lukman Adebambo (Gbadewolu of Araromi); Oba Talabi Odugbesan (Onidebojo of Debojo); Oba Bakare Saka Babatunde (Olukayetoro of Kayetoro); Oba Lamoriu Isiaka (Olumopo of Mopo); Oba Idogun Adewunmi Larrys (Ologunfayo of Ogunfayo); and Oba Hakeem Olokodana (Alakodo of Akodo).

Observers say the donation comes as Ibeju-Lekki remains a rapid-development corridor home to the Lekki Free Zone and other large projects which has increased demands on local administration and land governance.

The Lekki Free Zone Development Company describes the zone as a major industrial and investment hub within the Lekki/Ibeju corridor.

Traditional rulers in Lagos State are recognised under the Obas and Chiefs law, which provides the statutory framework for selection and recognition of Obas and chiefs; that framework underpins the formal role royal fathers play in customary administration and local dispute resolution.

In a related development, the Lagos State Government, during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development Conference Room, Alausa, Ikeja on 19 April 2025, warned against unauthorized baale (sub-chief) appointments in Ibeju-Lekki, stating:“Any Baale appointed outside the authority of an Oba does not have legal standing and violates the State’s stipulated guidelines. We will not recognise nor tolerate such appointments.”

Supporters of the council’s action say that improving mobility for recognised rulers through the provision of official vehicles will enhance their capacity to respond quickly to disputes, mediate conflicts and support orderly community governance.