The Baale of Imagbon, a community located between Ijebu-Ode and Odogbolu local government areas of Ogun State, Adesanya Kehinde Taiwo, has debunked the claim that he is not the authentic and recognised traditional ruler of the community.
Baale Taiwo spoke at a press briefing in Ijebu-Ode, against the backdrop of a disclaimer allegedly issued on the social media by one Otunba Ladipo Adeokun, who claimed to be a representative of the Ogu’ja Olu-Isa (Olisa) royal dynasty of Ijebu-Ode, that he (Taiwo) is not recognised by the Olisa, the traditional authority of Ijebu-Ode.
It was learnt that Adedokun had warned the general public not to have any dealings with Baale Taiwo as the traditional head of Imagbon community, adding that Taiwo lacks the authority to represent the community or make any decision on behalf of the people of the area.
In a reaction, Baale Taiwo said he was properly installed the traditional ruler of Imagbon about 14 years ago, after following due process by the appropriate authorities and final approval by the Odogbolu Local Government Area.
Flaunting about four different documents dating back to 2010, including one signed by the then Secretary to Odogbolu Local Government, Olusegun Adelaja and three other documents issued and jointly signed by all the 10 Imagbon traditional chiefs and two representatives of the town’s youths and copied the then Police Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) as well as the Nigerian Breweries Plc, on his selection and inauguration to confirm his official installation as the Baale of Imagbon, Taiwo stressed that the disclaimer issued by Adeokun on behalf of the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode left much to be desired, as it contained no iota of truth regarding his headship of the Imagbon community.
He insisted that he had in the past 14 years been and still remained the only authentic Baale of Imagbon community.
He enjoined the people of the Imagbon and the general public to discountenance the purported disclaimer issued and signed by the said Adeokun on behalf of the Olisa, saying it lacked substance.
Highlighting his achievements in the past 14 years, Baale Taiwo said under his reign, he had been able to facilitate the building of Imagbon town hall, renovation of laboratory of the community secondary school by the Nigerian Breweries Plc as well as the construction of four boreholes by Alhaji Tunde Olufowobi, who also donated a 200KVA electricity transformer to the community.
Baale Taiwo further said that it was under his reign that Nigerian Breweries Plc also increased bursary paid to 15 indigenous students in different institutions across the country from N20,000 to N50,000, construction of the community’s main market (Ajebo Market), adding that another set of 20 solar streetlights was donated by the Imagbon Progressive Union (IPU) in the United Kingdom to the community, among other development infrastructure.
Baale Taiwo further said that his various developmental achievements have attracted indigenes and non-indigenes to come and establish their businesses while erecting structures, such as residential buildings.
He also appealed to his subjects not to desist from supporting him since his enthronement as the Baale of Imagbon community.
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