The Kwara State Governor, Alh Abdulfatah Ahmed has described religious leaders as critical forces in the quest for national rebirth.

He stated this when the leadership and some members of First ECWA Church, Ilorin, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Ilorin on the occasion of the church's 70th anniversary.

According to the governor, there was no better time than now when the nation is grappling with national insecurity and economic meltdown for religious leaders to be in the vanguard of national re-orientation.

Ahmed added that the Nigerian youths must be made to imbibe values of shunning religious bias by appreciating the strength in diversity.

The governor promised that his administration was ready to partner faith based organisations in human capacity development so as to widen employment generating opportunities in the state.

The chairman, ECWA Ilorin District Church Council and minister in charge, First ECWAS Church, Ilorin, Rev. Stephen Sunday Ajise, in his remarks, commended the governor for "his humane approach in handling various issues concerning Kwara State.

Rev Ajise said it was noteworthy that peace, harmony and freedom of worship prevail in Kwara State despite religious diversity.