Date: 2016-10-02

Traditional rulers from Kwara South Senatorial District on Sunday said the country has made substantial progress in its quest to be listed among the world's developed nations in its 56 years of existence.

The traditional rulers made the assertion in their separate messages to mark the independence anniversary in their palaces in Omu-Aran, Ilofa and Rore. The traditional rulers are the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, Alofa of Iloffa, Oba Niyi Dada and the Onirore of Rore, Oba Ezekiel Oyewole.

Oba Ibitoye said the nation's achievements through sustainable democratic transition deserved a lot of commendation.

He said "five and half decades in the live of a nation can be as unique, sacrificial and full of challenges.

"It is not how far but how well the country and the citizens have been transformed socially and economically. "We give glory to God because the 2015 general election remains a good testimony of our resolve and preference for genuine democratic rule. "This alone has showcased our prowess and potentiality as a giant among our peers."

On his part, Oba Dada urged Nigerians to strive to utilise the gains recorded in the sustenance of the country's democracy system. He also urged citizens to continue to support and offer prayers for leaders to excel in their enormous responsibilities, stressing that "I think there is need for us to reflect on our past achievements.

"The last election was a good pointer for us to collectively find solution to the nation's socio-economic challenges." The monarch, who shared the same birthday with the country, said that the nation's exploits in the areas of sports and security deserved adequate recognition.

He expressed optimism of a better future for the nation through stakeholders' collective efforts.

Oba Oyewole urged politicians to close ranks and put the interest of the nation above other personal gains in order to achieve the desired change. He said "we just had an election in 2015 and our priority should be to ensure the full implementation of the promises made to the electorate.

"This should be the preoccupation of the elected leaders across the length and breath of the country. "Nigerians deserve to enjoy the benefits of their electoral participation through better roads, health, education and improved welfare condition.

"I believe we are already on the path of socio-economic posterity; we only need to consolidate."

Prophet Christopher Owolabi of the Christ Apostolic Church, Ori-Oke Irapada, Omu-Aran, also urged the citizens to imbibe peace and tolerance. He said that the nation's present economic difficulties was a mere temporary set-back toward achieving a developed economic status for the country.

He added that "we should be our brothers keepers, no doubt the nation's socio-economic challenges will soon be a thing of the past."

Prophetess Bosede Adimabua, the President, women wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Kwara chapter, urged women to live up to expectation as mothers of the nation.

She said "let us put everything into bear to show that we are good mothers to this country. "Our support to our husbands in government at all levels really counts and meant a lot to the country's socio-economic development." (NAN)