By Kayode Adeoti
Kwara South traditional monarchs who were recently elevated to the status of 3rd class have pleaded with the state government to address their plight.
The Oloko of Oko Rese, Oba Victor Olufemi Olawuyi, Eleju of Igbonla Kingdom, Oba Abdulfatah Jimoh and the Aala of Ilala Kingdom, Oba Abdulwahab Afolabi who were presented with the 3rd class staff of office last Monday Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government headquarters decry poor road network, portable water and herdsmen invasion into their farmlands.
Oba Afolabi while speaking with this medium noted that it’s been an arduous task to checkmate the incursion of herdsmen into farmlands of people of his community.
“People do not take the issue to court like before but to the palace, the crisis is now on my neck as the community head,” he lamented even as he implored the indigenes of the community in the Diaspora to come and invest at home.
For Oloko of Oko Rese, he said, “For 13 years, my community has been longing for this elevation but we are glad it came after all and we are confident that the elevation will bring peace and progress to the community.
“We have problem of portable water, we want government to extend its kind gesture to us in this aspect. We also want incursion into out farmlands by herdsmen stopped.”
In his words, Oba Jimoh pleaded with the state government for better road network saying the roads linking the town to neighbouring communities are at terrible state during the raining season.
“The elevation will make me work harder. Very soon, we are inviting two industrialists to our town for investment that will bring development to the town,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has called on monarchs in the state to encourage their subjects to positively embrace government activities and contribute their quota to the development of the state and the nation at large.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Elder Peter Kisira made the call while presenting the staff of office to the traditional rulers.
He expressed gratitude to God and thanked Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for the elevation calling on the monarchs to rule with the fear of God.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Alhaji Saidu Habeeb called on the traditional rulers to continue to carry their people along in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Chairman of Irepodun Local Government Traditional Council, the Olupo of Ajase- Ipo, Oba Sikiru Atanda Sanni thanked the State government for the gesture pledging that the traditional rulers would continue to play their fatherly roles to ensure peace and development in the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of Irepodun local government, Hon Muyiwa Oladipo pledged the loyalty and support of the people of the area to the leadership of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Governor Ahmed.
