The Lagos State Government on Monday said it had procured and presented no fewer than 100 vehicles for the use of traditional rulers and chiefs across the state.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ademonrin Kuye made the disclosure at the 2015 Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja.

He said the vehicles were to ease the movement of the beneficiaries in the discharge of their duties.

Kuye said the government was committed to the welfare of Obas in the state, and would continue to take steps to demonstrate it.

“With these vehicles and more that we have provided for our Obas and Chiefs, we can boldly say our traditional rulers are the most taken care of in the whole of the country. We see traditional rulers as partners in progress, and we will continue to do our best to make them comfortable,” he said.

Kuye also said government was building new palaces and renovating old ones to enhance the comfort of traditional rulers.

He said that the palaces of the Alara of Ilara, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu and Suenu had just been furnished for the comfort of the respective traditional rulers.

Giving other statistics, Kuye said the government processed no fewer than 44 applications for the recognition and upgrade of chieftaincy stools in the last one year.

The commissioner said the state's Chieftaincy Standing Tribunal of Enquiry had commenced inquiry into applications for upgrade to Obaship from various divisions.

He said the government gave approval and recognition to seven new chiefs and Baales in Epe/Ibeju division of the state within the period under review.

Kuye gave the new chiefs as Prince Adewale (Iwajoba of Akodo), Rafiu Bello (Baale of Okun-Ise), Raufu Mustapha (Baale of Okun-Tiye) and Raufu Alaka (Olisa of Orimedu).

He said the others were Lamoriu Adekoya (Apebi of Orimedu), Babatunde Lamidi (Aro of Orimedu) and Kabiru Ganni (Losi of Orimedu).

The Commissioner said Gov. Babatunde Fashola had presented staff of office to Prince Mufutau Ogunnukan of the Muja Ruling House as the Adegbajo of Odo-Igbajowo in Eredo Local Council Development Area.

“Chief Adisa Awoyemi, Oroja of the Fafunmi Ruling House, had also been presented staff of office as Oba of Meiran in Agbado –Oke-Odo area of the state, " he said.

According to Kuye, no fewer than 27 chieftaincy matters have been referred to the Standing Tribunal of Enquiry for adjudication.

On boundary issues, Kuye said the government successfully resolved the boundary and land conflicts involving the Onilogbo of Ilogbo-Eremi, Phillip family and Bambgose Idolabumo Ruling House of Ilogbo-Eremi in Badary area.

He said the government had also received the report of the committee set up to look into the remote and immediate causes of the civil disturbances between two in Ijede Local Council Development Area.

“The findings and recommendations had been analysed. The Ministry had communicated directives to all the MDAs mentioned in the recommendation such that amicable solution could be fast tracked as this will engender harmonious existence between the two communities,” he said. (NAN)

•Photo shows Lagos paramount ruler, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

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