The Epe Division of the Lagos State Baales Forum on Tuesday 7th July, 2026 hosted its Civic Awareness and PVC Sensitization Campaign at the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Secretariat, bringing together royal fathers, Baales, political leaders and key stakeholders in a renewed drive to strengthen grassroots civic participation and democratic engagement.
The event, held under the Operation Show Your PVC initiative of the Lagos State Baales Forum, was hosted by the Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government and Chairman of Conference 57, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa.
In his welcome address, Hon. Olowa described the traditional institution as an indispensable partner in governance, noting that Baales remain the closest link between government and the people. He observed that as the Epe Division continues to witness unprecedented transformation through strategic investments and infrastructure development, civic responsibility must grow alongside economic progress.
The Chairman stated that communities aspiring to sustain development must embrace responsible citizenship, peaceful coexistence and active participation in the democratic process. He urged Baales to continue serving as ambassadors of peace, civic responsibility and community mobilisation while encouraging eligible citizens to register, collect and safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Executive Chairman of Lekki Local Council Development Area, Hon. Rasaki Bamidele Kasali, commended the Lagos State Baales Forum for championing grassroots civic engagement and encouraged traditional leaders to continue mobilising their communities towards peaceful participation in the democratic process.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Eredo Local Council Development Area, Hon. Ismail Monsuru Akinloye, described the initiative as timely and impactful, stressing that traditional institutions remain indispensable partners in promoting community development, peaceful coexistence and democratic participation at the grassroots.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Lagos State Baales Forum, High Chief Abu Jelili Ododo, charged Baales across the State to remain steadfast in providing purposeful leadership within their communities while sustaining efforts to promote peace, unity and civic responsibility.
The Convener of the Lagos State Baales Forum, Dr. Seyi Bamigbade, explained that Operation Show Your PVC was conceived to deepen civic awareness and strengthen grassroots mobilisation through the traditional institution. He urged Baales to continue educating their communities on the importance of active participation in the democratic process.
The highpoint of the programme was the symbolic display of Permanent Voter Cards by Baales from across the Epe Division. In a collective demonstration of civic consciousness, the community leaders proudly raised their PVCs, affirming their readiness to participate in future elections. They also expressed their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as Governor of Lagos State.
The gathering also witnessed the presence of revered traditional rulers from across the Epe Division, further underscoring the unity and commitment of the traditional institution to promoting peaceful civic engagement and grassroots mobilisation.
The campaign reinforced the strategic role of traditional institutions in advancing civic awareness, strengthening democratic participation and fostering closer collaboration between government and communities across the Epe Division.
