The Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), the apex socio-cultural organisation of Ilorin Emirate indigenes at home and in the Diaspora, has raised alarm over rising poverty level in the community, saying over 70 per cent of indigenes "are trapped in poverty and starving".

National President of the union, Alhaji Abdulhamid Adi lamented that Emirate indigenes are not "at the centre and thick of the booming economic activities" in Ilorin city.

Adi stated this on Thursday during the 49th annual National Conference of the union held at the front of Emir's palace.

The annual gathering under the auspices of Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu Gambari was attended by the creme-de-la-creme of Ilorin emirate including Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands, Dr. (Mrs) Nimota Akanbi, representatives of the Kwara state Government, among others from all walks of life.

The National President stated that unlike in those days when the people of emirate "regularly fed well enough to have left overs to warm or microwave" the following morning, "more than seventy per cent of Ilorin indigenes are now trapped in poverty and starving; going to bed daily on empty stomachs".

"Someone who does not have enough to feed well cannot be said to be healthy nor be in position to provide shelter for his family and neither could he think of training his children for a better tomorrow", he added.

According to him, the poverty rate grows while the city is growing in riches with some of its sons and daughters "in solid political powers at different levels".

He called on wealthy individuals in the community to emulate those who have set up factories to provide job opportunities especially for the youths who could be lured into crimes as a result of idleness.

As the 2015 election draws nearer, the President urged politicians in different camps to work for the progress of the community, advising them to shun violence.

"The union wishes to appeal to all our political players to tread with caution, maturity and fear of Allah to ensure that peace and tranquility prevail before, during and after the 2012 elections.

"This union believes, as the wise men do, in the superiority of peace over violence. Besides, honour or dishonour does not apply to winning or losing elections. Indeed, it is more honourable and Godly to accept defeat without recourse to violence", he said.