Nigeria, April 4 -- A stakeholder in Kwara State, Dr. S.B. Olarinoye, has appealed to the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to approve the elevation of the Onira of Ira to First Class status, citing what he described as a historical imbalance in the recognition of traditional rulers.

In an open letter to the governor, Olarinoye said the Ira community has waited for over two decades for the upgrade of its monarch, noting that several traditional rulers who were once on the same Second Class status have since been elevated.

He described the situation as a matter of fairness and equity, stressing that the continued delay has raised concerns among indigenes of the community who believe their traditional institution deserves comparabl...