Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma has urged the members of the Nasarawa State Traditional Council to constitute themselves into a vanguard for socio-economic development of the state.

Governor Doma made the call when the Paramount Ruler of the Toni Chiefdom, His Royal Highness, Abaga Toni, Dr. Sylvester Ayih and the Gwandara people led by the Chairman of Kokona Local Government Area, Alhaji Abubakar Sharubutu paid him a thank you visit at the Ibrahim Abacha Youth Centre in Lafia.

Governor Doma said that Royal Fathers have significant roles to play in the scheme of things, stressing that with the proper collaboration and partnership between the government and traditional rulers, Nasarawa would become a unique state.

He described the upgrading of the Abaga Toni, Sylvester Ayih to a First Class status Chief as worthy, having traced the history of the Chiefdom from the defunct Plateau State.

While urging the Abaga Toni to emulate the good work of his First Class colleagues by working with them as a team, he tasked the Royal Father to carry everybody along irrespective of tribe and religion in order to promote peaceful co-existence in the Chiefdom.

Earlier, HRH Abaga Toni, Dr. Sylvester Ayih thanked Governor Doma for upgrading him to the status of First Class Chief, pointing out that the gesture would not only remain indelible in the history of the Chiefdom, but would restore the lost glory of Gwandara as a whole.

The traditional Ruler listed the numerous laudable programmes and projects the Governor Doma led-Administration brought to Kokona, especially the Bada-Koshi Agricultural Scheme, road construction, renovation of primary health care centres and schools. The Abaga Toni said that these projects would no doubt boost socio-economic development of the area as well as bring affordable services closer to the people.

He assured Governor Doma that he would take up the responsibility bestowed on him as a challenge and justify the confidence the people and government have reposed on him.

Also in his address, the Chairman of Kokona Local Government, Alhaji Abubakar Sharubutu said that the upgrading of the Abaga Toni and the construction of Garaku – Dare – Maro would boost socio-economic activities in the area.

Hon. Sharubutu pledged the support of his people to the Governor in the year 2011 governorship election.