Ganiyu Hamzat emerges co-chairman of South-West Baales Forum BoT

By Adeola Ogunrinde

Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Oladunjoye Hamzat, has been appointed co-chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the South-West Baales Forum.

His appointment was conveyed in an official letter signed by the forum’s convener, Dr. Seyi Bamigbade, following his nomination to serve alongside other members of the board. Hamzat received the appointment when the South-West executives of the forum paid a courtesy visit to his office.

During the visit, the commissioner expressed appreciation to the leadership of the forum for entrusting him with the responsibility. He particularly commended Bamigbade for his vision and efforts to bring traditional community leaders across the South-West together under a common platform.

According to Hamzat, the initiative would provide a stronger platform for traditional leaders to collaborate on issues affecting their communities. Furthermore, Hamzat said the forum could play a significant role in strengthening grassroots engagement, considering the influence and community-level reach of Baales across the region. He noted that traditional community heads remained important stakeholders in promoting peace, unity and development at the grassroots.

The commissioner also highlighted the political and cultural importance of traditional community leaders, particularly their capacity to mobilise residents and promote cohesion within their communities. He expressed confidence that the active participation of the South-West Baales Forum in political and community affairs could contribute to effective grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election.

Hamzat said the forum’s involvement could also help encourage a strong voter turnout and support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His comments underscored the potential role of traditional institutions in engaging residents on political and community matters.

The South-West Baales Forum is an organisation established to unite traditional community leaders across the southwestern states of Nigeria. According to its stated objectives, the forum seeks to promote peace, facilitate grassroots development and encourage collaboration among traditional leaders on strategic sociopolitical and developmental issues affecting the region.

Meanwhile, Hamzat, who is the elder brother of Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos State APC governorship candidate for the 2027 general election, is expected to bring his experience in local government and chieftaincy affairs to the forum. His appointment is expected to strengthen the forum’s engagement with government and traditional institutions as it expands its role in regional development and grassroots mobilisation.