Baba Aliyu, the Alangwa of Agbeyangi in Ilorin East council area, has tasked the Kwara government on rural development to ensure balanced growth in the state.

Mr Aliyu made the call during the celebration of his 35th anniversary on the throne as Alangwa, the unveiling of his autobiography, and his 106th birthday celebration.

The centenarian said anyone who has witnessed the urban renewal projects of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq would naturally desire a similar transformation in the rural communities.

“I therefore wish to respectfully appeal to the state government to kindly consider the reconstruction of the Panada-Agbeyangi-Yarun road to accelerate socio-economic development within the axis.

”This is because development is a shared responsibility between the people and leadership, and during our early years, development in Agbeyangi was built on communal cooperation.

“In the 1980s, many illustrious sons and daughters of Agbeyangi also used their positions and influence to advance the development of our town. During the fourth republic, government presence also increased in our community; however, despite these achievements, the pace of development has gradually slowed,” he said.

Mr Aliyu also called on all sons and daughters of the community to become more deliberate and united in addressing the developmental challenges confronting the community.

He urged them to think beyond individual success and to work collectively to develop their ancestral home.

The president of the Agbeyangi Community Development Association, Shuaib Oba, commended Mr Aliyu’s reign and managerial abilities, which have benefited the community.

He said that since Mr Aliyu’s ascension to the throne, the community has not had any crisis but has experienced growth across various fields of human endeavour.

The traditional ruler also appealed to the state government to construct the Panada-Agbeyangi-Yarun road, which he said was in a deplorable state and negatively affecting socio-economic life.

(NAN)