Ilorin – The Kwara Governor, Mr Abdulfatah Ahmed, has called on elders of Tsaragi in Edu Local Government Area and Share in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state to be advocates of peace rather than war.
Ahmed made the call in separate interactions with the elders of the two communities on how to ensure lasting peace in the communities.
He said that the elders, as opinion moulders in their respective communities, should pass the value of unity that could endure to the youth.
He advised the elders to take advantage of their closeness to each other to bring infrastructure development to their communities rather than resort to clashes and violence.
“As a people, we are bound to find those who will want to pursue very narrow, personal agenda that do not serve general interest.
“Anytime there is communal clash anywhere, it might pay narrow interests in short time, but sooner than later, the communities suffer immensurable setbacks in terms of infrastructural deficit and general wellbeing of the citizens,” he said.
The governor said no amount of fighting or arson could drive one community away from the other as “their forefathers knew the wisdom that brought them together as neighbours”.
He urged them not to carry out reprisal attacks as such would not benefit anybody but continue the vicious cycle of violence and destruction of properties.
Ahmed assured the elders that his administration remained committed to the restoration of peace in the two communities and that everything would be done to achieve that.
In their separate remarks, the Wali of Tsaragi, Dr Muhammed Haruna and Asiwaju of Share, Chief Muhammed Lawal, said they would be partners with the state government in efforts to restore peace between the two communities.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor called the peace meetings as a result of the recent clash between the two communities. (NAN)
