The Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, has charged the military to insulate itself from political manipulation and resist temptation to descend into the political arena as this could truncate the country’s nascent democracy.

The governor stated this when participants of course 23 of the National Defence College, Abuja, on Geo-Strategic Study tour of Kwara State, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Ilorin.

“Let me commend the Nigerian military for its appreciable role in nation building, especially by protecting Nigeria from external aggression and internal unrest,” Mr. Ahmed said.

“ While it is true that the country is going through very difficult times, especially in parts of the country caught in the grip of insurgency, the military must continue to live up to its reputation as one of Africa’s best.”

The governor said it was incumbent on all Nigerians to support the officers and men of the armed forces for keeping the country and its people safe.

Speaking on the theme of the Geo-Strategic Tour, Socio-Economic Development through Urban Renewal in Kwara State, Mr. Ahmed said, “Our urban renewal programmes are geared towards ensuring that our roads are motorable, making portable water available within 500 metres radius for all residents, guaranteeing health care and beautifying the environment.

The leader of the team, Aliyu Lawal, a Commodore, said its pre-visit study showed that Kwara State had comparative advantages in many sectors over other states under study.

Mr. Lawal, who said the tour was a significant part of the 11-month course, commended the state government for winning the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development’s Development Assistance Committee awards in Paris, France, for its Community Health Insurance Scheme.