Some traditional rulers in Kwara have called for the strengthening of the nation’s traditional institution to promote good governance.

The monarchs told the News Agency of Nigeria in Omu-Aran, Kwara, that such efforts would also assist government to tackle insecurity and boost socio-economic development.

The Olomu of  Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye,  said  a constitutional role for the traditional institution would  boost the electoral process.

“The traditional institution had never relented in its responsibility of ensuring peace and harmony among the people irrespective of their ethno-religious background.

“It is then not out of place to seek for constitutional roles for monarchs so that they would be able to discharge those responsibilities to the best of their capabilities.

“The nation’s communities, you will agree with me, have in recent times witnessed increase in the rate of anti-social vices and other form of crimes, especially among the youths.

“For this reason, adequate measure needed to be put in place as the nation races toward another political dispensation to ensure equity and fairness,” Ibitoye said.

Oba Daniel Dada of Egosi-Ile, on his part, said traditional rulers needed more recognition from government to meet up with the rapid socio-economic development taking place at the grassroots.

He said majority of the youths were now returning to their communities to embrace farming and other vocations in order to earn a decent living.

Dada said traditional rulers in various communities had in recent times executed projects through communal efforts, adding that this had impacted positively on the living standard of the people.

“In as much as the population of each community continued to rise astronomically with attendant challenges, adequate provision of infrastructure and incentives from government would be of great assistance,” Dada said.

He commended the administration of   Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed for its people-oriented policies and progammes aimed at ensuring peaceful co-existence among the various communities.

“This rapid infrastructural development recently taking place at the community level had created the need  for  elevation of  traditional rulers,” Dada said.

Oba Raphael Sunday of  Isolo-Opin said  peaceful co-existence among the people across the country was essential for the nation’s survival and progress.

Sunday said   the synergy between   traditional rulers as the custodians of the cultural heritage of each communities and government would ensure the sustenance of the country’s nascent democracy.

“We would continue to demonstrate our commitment to peace and harmony within our communities in our partnership with government if given the needed recognition. “This will go a long way in assisting government to achieve its development goals,” he added.(punch)