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‎ BY AHMED AKANBI
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‎The Emir of Okuta in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Abubakar Idris, has commended the Federal Government over the commencement of rehabilitation works on the Saki-Chikanda road that links the area with the rest of the country.
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‎The road, which stretches from Saki in Oyo State to Chikanda at the Nigeria-Benin Republic border in Baruten area, is the major artery connecting the border communities.
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‎The Emir, who doubles as permanent chairman of the Baruten Emirate Council, however urged the government to ensure adequate commitment and supervision so that the project is not abandoned.
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‎He spoke with newsmen on the sideline of this year’s edition of the annual Ganni festival celebrated by the community.
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‎According to the monarch, the deplorable state of the road has not only made travelling stressful but also crippled economic development of the area.
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‎He noted that Baruten is regarded as the food basket of Kwara State, but the poor road has prevented the state from maximally benefiting from the agricultural richness of the area.
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‎”Because of the condition of the road we spend far longer than we ought to before reaching our destinations. From here to Saki you will spend three hours and from here to Ilorin you will spend six hours no matter how good your vehicle is,” the Emir said.
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‎On the 2027 general elections, the traditional ruler hailed the emergence of Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly from Gwanara community in Baruten, as the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
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‎He said the APC had done justice by zoning its ticket to Kwara North Senatorial District, noting that it is the only district that has not produced a governor since 1999.
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‎The Emir said the district had always aligned with Kwara Central in past elections and urged Central to reciprocate in 2027, while calling on politicians in the North to put aside personal interests and support Danladi.
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‎On Ganni festival, he described it as a cultural heritage bequeathed by their ancestors that strengthens unity among the Baruba people in both Nigeria and Benin Republic.