Date: 2020-11-21

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday presented letters of appointment to three traditional rulers in Ifelodun and Isin local government areas of the state.

They are: Olupako of Share, Oba Haruna Olawale Sulaiman (1st class); Olusin of Ijara Isin Oba Ajibola Ademola Julius (2nd class); and Onilupeju of Ilupeju Oba Muhammad Akande Olarewaju Odunade (4th class).

Represented by the commissioner of local government, chieftaincy affairs and community development Architect Aliyu Saifuddeen, the governor called on the newly appointed traditional rulers to use their stools to promote peace, tranquility and progress of their domains and the state at large.

"I therefore call on Your Royal Highnesses to continue to carry your people along in the discharge of your responsibilities to the community. Your Royal Highnesses cannot do it alone, you all need the support and cooperation of your people for peace to reign and for development to take place," the Governor said.

"You should see your domain as a micro community of the whole nation where when we have peace in these micro communities the entire country is at peace. Your appointment is coming at the time President Muhammadu Buhari needs the support of everyone to improve peace and security.

"I wish to congratulate our royal fathers on this glorious occasion. It is my fervent prayer that your reign will enhance peace, progress and development in your domains in particular and the state at large."

AbdulRazaq urged the traditional institutions in the state to ensure that it is rated ahead of any other in the country in terms of peacekeeping.

For his part, permanent secretary ministry of local government, chieftaincy affairs and community development AbdulRazaq Alabere urged the monarchs to use the numerous human and material resources at their disposal for the good of their people and to enhance accelerated development in their respective domains.

"There is no doubt that royal fathers remain veritable tools for grassroots mobilisation, internal cohesion as well as socio-economic and political development, being the custodians of the tradition and culture of the people," Alabere said.

"The government is aware that royal fathers are highly revered by the people, who are always willing to listen to them and subject themselves to their adjudication in the resolution of conflicts."

The Olupako, who spoke on behalf of the new monarchs, appreciated Governor AbdulRazaq and the state traditional council for finding them worthy of the appointments and pledged support and loyalty to the government for peaceful co-existence to reign in their domains.

"I want to use this medium to say that the appointment is given to us in trust. It does not mean that we are the best. We will be magnanimous in victory, run open administration and promote peace and development of our communities," he said.