Date: 2016-09-21

KWARA State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has called for urgent diversification of Nigeria's economy to agriculture as the only credible and sustainable solution to the current economic recession in the country.

Governor Ahmed also called on the Federal Government to reconsider diversification to agriculture with deliberate effort on advocacy on agriculture as a source of wealth.

The Governor, who made the call when First Class traditional rulers from Kwara South Senatorial District visited him at the Government House, Ilorin, promised that the state government would continue to assist farmers with information, seedlings and chemicals to boost agric-business in the state.

Governor Ahmed charged the traditional rulers to develop more interest in agriculture and continue to support programmes and policies of the state government.

Dr Ahmed called on royal fathers in the country to be major players in the promotion of peace and security in their domains. The Governor who noted that it was only when lives of people and their property are secured that government's developmental and infrastructural efforts could yield desired results, said "Government will continue to partner with our royal fathers on security so that our people can live in peace because it is only when we have a secured environment that we can truly progress economically".

"Most importantly", the Governor continued, "we'll create a sense of transparency in the area of project execution because monies that will be used for the projects will be monies gotten from the people under the internally generated revenue. Transparency in governance is necessary for people to have confidence".

The Governor promised that all projects to be initiated by the state government will be completed before December, 2018. This, according to the governor, will be possible as the newly established Kwara Infrastructure Fund is positioned for the financing of projects across the state from inception to completion stages within given time frame.

According to him, with a minimum of five hundred million naira from the internally generated revenue earmarked for the fund monthly, financing of projects would become easier and consistent.

Earlier, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye, who led the traditional rulers explained that the visit was to congratulate the Governor on a successful sallah celebration in the state and promised continuous support to the state government.

Oba Esuwoye sought the support of the government to farmers in the state through the provision of farm input and fertilisers with a view to solving problems associated with food insecurity.