In the bid to proffer solution to the current security challenges facing the country, the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has called for the intervention of the Italian Government.

Ahmed, who spoke last Thursday in Ilorin, when the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Most Reverend Augustine Kasujja (Papal Nuncio), paid him a courtesy call, said the call became imperative because of the bilateral relationship between Italy and Nigeria.

The Italian Ambassador was in Ilorin for the centenary celebrations of Catholicism in the state.

Represented by his Deputy, Elder Peter Kisira, Ahmed also sought for the intervention of the Italian government to generate jobs and poverty reduction in the state.

He said, "We humbly request for your intervention in secular fields to reduce the challenges facing this state, more especially, in the areas of employment generation, women empowerment, poverty reduction, rural development and the overall transformation of the state in consonance with the shared prosperity agenda of the Kwara state government.

"We equally urge you; in the spirit of the bilateral relationship, help wade into the security challenges facing Nigeria to facilitate the launching of the nation to the next level".

The governor also appreciated the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Italy in the religious and secular realms, adding that Nigerian Pilgrims to Rome are accorded warm reception.

Ahmed, however, rejoiced with the Catholics over the centenary celebrations and commended the church for being supportive of his administration.

Earlier, Kasujja had told the governor that he and his team were in the state for the centenary celebrations of Catholicism in Kwara State.

He noted that Catholic as a church preaches peace and it is for the salvation of the people; and thanked the governor for the warm reception given him and his team.

Culled from National Pilot Newspaper