Traditional rulers in Kwara State have been called upon to complement government efforts to develop the state by soliciting investments in their various domains by their indigenes and residents. The state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, made the call in Ilorin, last Wednesday during a meeting with traditional rulers at Government House.

Ahmed described traditional rulers as key to the state's economic development as they are uniquely positioned to create platforms for showcasing the investment opportunities available in their various communities to their subjects.

Stressing that government alone could not meet the people's needs, the governor said government would however provide sites and services to support such private initiatives, which he said are also capable of providing critical youth jobs.

On the issue of security, he said economic growth could only take place in an atmosphere of peace, commending the traditional rulers for their roles in ensuring peace and charged them to continue to play pivotal role in maintaining stability in the state.

The governor said traditional rulers have critical roles to play in communities with boundary disputes as the fulcrum of peace and tranquillity, calling on aggrieved parties to advantage of the executive, judicial and legislative bodies available in the state.

He stressed that anyone who takes the law into their hands under any guise would be dealt with according to the dictates of the law.

Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of Kwara State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, commended the governor for organising the meeting which he described as the people's parliament.

Gambari pledged the commitment of the traditional rulers to act on the areas identified by the governor and assured him of their full support as the legitimately elected governor of the state.

Culled from National Pilot Newspaper