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By Lukman Olabiyi
The chairman of the Lagos State Baales Forum, and Baale of Ijedodo, Chief Abu Jelili Ododo, has said the Forum is strengthening its political structure to deepen grassroots engagement and support vulnerable Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ododo, who is also the Oba-elect of Ijedodo, disclosed this during a meeting of the Lagos State Baales Forum in Lagos, where the body announced the inauguration of a new leadership framework comprising Advisory Council, Board of Trustees (BOT) and directorates.
He said the new structure was designed to institutionalise the forum’s leadership and enhance its capacity to mobilise communities across the state.
Speaking at the meeting, the Convener of the Lagos State Baales Forum, Dr. Seyi Bamigbade, announced the appointment of prominent political office holders into strategic positions within the forum.
To him, Hon. Razaq Olushola Ajala, the immediate past Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has been appointed Co-Chairman of the Advisory Council.
The Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government and Chairman of Conference 57, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, was named a member of the Board of Trustees, while the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, was appointed Principal Director.
Bamigbade said the appointees would work in collaboration with the Secretary of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and Chairman of the Lagos State Baales Forum Advisory Council, Alhaji Mutiu Are.
He explained that the appointments were aimed at strengthening the forum as the apex body of traditional community heads in Lagos State, while aligning its activities with grassroots mobilisation, civic participation and community development.
According to him, the newly established structure will also serve as a platform for expanding the forum’s outreach and coordinating community-based initiatives across the state.
Bamigbade added that, politically, the forum would support the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and work towards the emergence of Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State for the 2027 general elections.
He said the forum remains committed to fostering stronger collaboration between traditional institutions and government in promoting development, community welfare and democratic participation at the grassroots.
