A German Trained Telecommunication Engineer and one of the White Cap Chiefs in Lagos, Chief Ganiyu Olalekan Bakare has been installed as the Arole Oba of Eleghushi Kingdom. The  installation ceremony  was held on Sunday 4th April, 2021 at the Majestic Palace of the Monarch, HRM Oba Saheed Ademola Eleghushi.

The late father of the newly installed Arole Oba of Eleghushi held the position till his death in November 2020, Citizen NewsNG/ Citizen Magazine learnt.

During the Installation ceremony, Traditional rites were performed in line with the dictates of the Tradition and culture of the Eleghushi Kingdom.

While Speaking with Citizen NewsNG/ Citizen Magazine, the new Arole Oba of Eleghushi Kingdom, Chief Ganiyu Olalekan Bakare said
“The Aro Ile is a Custodian of the house when the king is not around and my role is very significant as a white Cap Chief of Lagos. It is a privilege to be installed by the HRM Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi Kusenla II of Ikateland to serve under him as one of the chiefs”.

When asked about his plans as he assumes his Traditional role, Chief Ganiyu Olalekan Bakare said “These are times when we have to do things differently. We are blessed to have a young, vibrant king Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi who has a vision for Ikateland and its environs. You can see the infrastructure, the people and companies coming here. We want to attract more investors to our community in the area of tourism, real estate among others. We are also lucky that we have a Governor who is very supportive of the progress we are making here. They are opening up this area with road network. The recent one is the regional road from Freedom Way to Ajah. This is opening up Ikateland to the world to attract investment. We would continue to find a way to make Ikate safe and accommodating”

“The Kabiyesi might have been impressed  by my developmental Contributions to the Ikate community and its environment and continous supports for the locals”, Chief Bakare said.

The new Arole Oba of Eleghushi was born 13th September in the Sixties in the commercial Capital of Nigeria, Lagos to Late Chief Kareem Olayiwola Bakare and Late Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Folashade Bakare (nee Fagbayi). His late father was from the Elegushi Royal family of Lagos whilst his mother was the Oloto and Oniru Royal families of Lagos.

He had his elementary and secondary education at the Corona Primary School Apapa Lagos and Federal Government College Portharcourt respectively. Chief Bakare proceeded to Bayero University, Kano to study Business Administration. After the completion of his first degree, He later enrolled at the BFH, Hamm Germany where he graduated as a Telecommunications and Electronics Engineer. He also studied Management Course at the University of Liverpool, England where he bagged a Post Graduate Diploma in Management.

Chief Bakare had in the past worked with Multimedia-National companies while in overseas: Interface Designs, Germany, Samsung Electronics United Kingdom, Sun Microsystems, Ericsson United Kingdom among others. After a Successful career in the Engineering Field in the United Kingdom, he later returned to Nigeria to venture into Private Practice and Politics.

As a Progressive and Advocate of Good Governance, In 2017, Chief Bakare vied for the Chairmanship position in Apapa Local Government Area but was later appointed as the Secretary to the Local Government. He was also elected as the Chairman Body of Secretaries to Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State.

On Local Government Administration and the agitation for Autonomy, Chief Bakare told Citizen NewsNG/ Citizen Magazine that though he supported the independence of Local Government but its activities should be supervised by the state government with the adoption of Bottom-Top Mechanism.

The Arole Oba of Eleghushi Kingdom is very passionate about the natural environment and how emerging trends such as climate change and its resultant effects affect Humans, animals and Natural habitats, Green zones. This enthusiasm necessitated the establishment of the ‘Lekan Bakare Foundation’ to check the menace of global warming, flooding and environmental degradation in rural and urban areas in the country.

Chief Bakare enjoys Swimming, Playing squash, Sailing and football.

He is an Active Member of the Lagos Yacht Club, Apapa Club, Eko Club and Kingfisher Club.

The Arole Oba of Eleghushi Kingdom, Chief Ganiyu Olalekan Bakare is happily married with Children.

Dignitaries Present at the Installation ceremony includes HRM Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi Kusenla II of Ikateland; Oniru of Iruland, HRM, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun 11; White Cap Chiefs; Commissioner for Home Affairs, Lagos State, Prince Olanrewaju Anofiu Elegushi; Honorable Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mrs. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda; former Chairman of Iru/Victoria Island LCDA and Arobadade of Iru land, Prince Abayomi Daramola; former Sole Administrator of Eti-Osa Local Govt., Princess Abiodun Elegushi-Anifaleje; Olosa of Iru land, Chief Rasak Aromire; Odofin of Iru land, Chief Saliu Abisogun; Olorogun Rasheed Muri-Okunola; Prince Tunde Oloto; Prince Fuad Oloto; Prince Balogun Olalekan Eletu a.k.a Sir Larry; Alhaji Kola Idris; Alatileyin Adinni of Badagry Central Mosque, Alhaji Mobolaji Ogundele; Prince Olumide Oniru; Oil and Gas Expert, Mr. Peter Okasi; Chief Bakare’s wife Mrs. Bakare Friends and Families of the Bakares among others personalities.

By Olabode Adeyeri

@Citizen NewsNG/ Citizen Magazine