Lagos chieftaincy council lifts suspension on Kalejaiye, pronounces him as only traditional head of Otumara

Mojisola Lawal

The Chieftaincy council of Lagos Mainland, Surulere and Apapa Local Government areas under the chairmanship of His Eminence, Ojora of Ijora land, Oba (Dr) AbdulFatai Aremu Aromire has lifted the suspension of High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye as the traditional head of Otumara 2 community.

The council, in a letter titled “An extract from the minute of meeting on the lifting of suspension of Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, Baale of Otumara in Lagos Mainland Local Government” dated December 29, 2020 and signed by the chairman of the council also pronounced Kalejaiye as the only traditional head of the entire community.

Following several months of internal wrangling and developmental challenges within the community which neccesitated the suspension of the two chiefs, after series of mediation, the council deposed High Chief Festus Arowojolu who was the head of Otumara 1 community and pronounced High Chief Kalejaiye as the only recognised traditional head of the entire Otumara community.

The letter read, “The council at its meeting held at Apapa Local Government on Wednesday 23, December, 2020 resolved that the suspension of Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye is here withdrawn with immediate effect. That Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye remains the only recognised Chieftain by the Chieftaincy Committee as the Baale of Otumara in Lagos Mainland Local Government area.”

The council, however, warned residents or group of people against any possible breakdown of law and order, “Should there be a group of individuals within and outside Otrumara community wanting to disrupt the peace currently being enjoyed and those refusing to abide by the decisions of the Royal Fathers, resolution has it that, the Divisional Police Officers, Denton and Iponri Police Stations and other police stations and other appropriate authorities should be notified via this extract to deal with such disgruntled elements accordingly.”

Reacting, High Chief Kalejaiye described the honour as a call to serve the community and Lagos State in general.

He thereafter reaffirmed his commitment and loyalty to the royal fathers and the chieftaincy committee as well as to the development of his community.

“Words are not enough to express my gratitude to the chieftaincy committee under the chairmanship of our royal father, Oba Fatai Aremu Aromire. I also bow and tremble before my royal fathers, Oba Adeyemi Adeniyi and Oba Lateef Adams and other chiefs within the committee. I wholeheartedly appreciate their display of patience and wisdom in handling the affairs and ensuring that it ends well.

Let me state this as I have always done, Otumara and its people are very dear to my heart. This is why, since the day I was enthroned as the Baale, I have pledged to serve the community with all my heart and resources. I will continue to engage in these humane acts for the progress of our community.

The unfortunate happenings within the community in the last few months called for the intervention of the chieftaincy council. Our fathers and all other stakeholders have spoken and given their verdicts by according the sole responsibility of running the traditional affairs of Otumara community which was known to have two Baales to me.

I must say that I am humbled by the trust reposed in me.

I thank the committee and its members for the honour and I promise to mend all fences and continue to promote the interest of Otumara and its people.”

On his part, chairman of Otumara Progressive Elite Community Development Association, Comrade Abass Ishola during a chat with newsexplorersng.com expressed gratitude for the timely interventions and quintessential wisdom displayed by the chieftaincy committee in handling the affairs of the community.

Commending the royal fathers, he said, “I would say the crisis in Otumara community was unfortunate but I thank God for the timely intervention of our royal fathers, the Ojora of Lagos and chairman of the chieftaincy council, Oba Fatai Aromire, Oba Adeyemi Adeniyi of Igbobi Sabe, Oba Lateef Adams, the Onikate of IkateLand, Chief Jubi Oloto, the Aro of Lagos Mainland, Chief Shamsudeen Pedro, the Eletu of Lagos Mainland, the Oloto royal family, chairperson of Lagos Mainland Local Government, Hon Rashidat Essien and her deputy, Hon Jubril Emilagba and all the chieftaincy committees in Lagos state.

We can now heave a sigh of relief in Otumara as the internal wrangling which has been affecting the progress of the community especially those issues bordering on chieftaincy affairs have been laid to rest.

It is now known to every resident in Otumara and beyond that we have only one Baale in the person of High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye. I thank the chieftaincy committee for this resolution because their decision is in conformity with the popular choice.”

Views: 0