The Ewekoro Local Government in Ogun State has introduced digitalised certificates for Baales as part of efforts to curb multiple claims to traditional titles and reduce chieftaincy disputes across communities.
The Chairman of the council, Hon. Adesina Sikiru Adisa, disclosed this on Monday during the presentation of digitalised certificates to 50 Baales at the council conference room in Itori.
Adisa described the initiative as a major step towards safeguarding the integrity of the Baaleship institution by providing a secure and verifiable means of identifying recognised traditional title holders.
He said the digital certificates would ensure that only authentic Baales were recognised by the local government while eliminating cases of rival claimants laying claim to the same title.
According to him, the initiative will also give certified Baales wider recognition beyond their communities.
“This is an opportunity for you to be globally recognised as authentic Baales of your communities. Though the full importance may not be immediately clear to some, it will become evident with time,” he said.
The council chairman explained that the digital certificates had permanently addressed the recurring problem of multiple claims to Baaleship titles, which he noted had fuelled conflicts and threatened peace in some communities.
He added that the council would henceforth recognise only Baales who possess the newly introduced digital certificates.
Adisa also pledged continued collaboration with traditional rulers to promote peace, security and sustainable development across Ewekoro Local Government.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Baale of Elejeri, Chief Adewunmi Mathew Gbenga, described the initiative as a landmark reform that had restored credibility to the institution of Baaleship.
He said the certification process had strengthened the relationship between traditional rulers and Baales by making it compulsory for every applicant to obtain a letter of recognition from the prescribed traditional ruler before qualifying for the digital certificate.
According to him, the procedure ensures that only duly recognised Baales receive official certification while discouraging impersonation and chieftaincy disputes.
Adewunmi said the certificate would further strengthen collaboration between communities and the local government, adding that it would facilitate development and improve communication with government authorities.
He commended the council chairman for introducing what he described as a visionary innovation capable of fostering lasting peace in the local government.
He added that Ewekoro had become the first local government in Ogun State to issue digitalised certificates to Baales.
Also speaking, the Baale of Asipa, Chief Ogunyinka Olugbemi, said the certificates contain unique barcodes that store the personal details of each Baale, making verification easier and reducing the risk of forgery.
He noted that the security features embedded in the certificates made them more reliable than the previous paper-based versions, which he said were vulnerable to manipulation and duplication.
According to him, the initiative has attracted positive attention from experts, who regard it as an effective model for authenticating traditional title holders and enhancing the credibility of the Baaleship institution.
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