The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, yesterday, called for
prayer for peace and stability in Nigeria.
He also urged Nigerians to continue to support the administration of
President Bola Tinubu with prayer.
Sulu-Gambari spoke at the 2024 durbar celebration at the frontage of
his palace in Ilorin, Kwara State.
He expressed optimism that the economic reforms of Tinubu ‘s
administration would soon yield fruitful results.
“I want to use this occasion to urge my people and Nigerians across
the globe to continue to pray for peace and stability in the country.
I also urge Nigerians to continue to pray for our leaders. With
prayer, everything in the country shall be okay, ” the Emir said.
Earlier in the day, the Emir, accompanied by Governor AbdulRahaman
AbdulRazaq, his elder brother and Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr Alimi
AbdulRazaq, and other traditional and honorary chiefs, rode on
horseback through designated routes in the Ilorin metropolis.
The horse-riding procession began about 11 a.m., and the Emir and his
team returned to the palace’s forecourt at about 3 30 p.m.
Other eminent personalities that accompanied the Emir included the
senator representing Kwara Central senatorial district in the Senate,
Saliu Mustapha, Zanan of Ilorin,Engr Lanre Sagaya, group managing
director of KAM Holding Ltd, Engr Kamoru Yusuf, the director general
of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Comrade Issa
Aremu, the vice chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, Prof.
Shaykh – Lukman Jimoh and the vice chancellor of the University of
Abuja, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah.
In his welcome address, the Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee chairman,
Engr Suleiman Alapasanpa, expressed satisfaction that the event was
attended by many distinguished guests, including policymakers from all
walks of life and from across and beyond Nigeria.
He praised the Emir for revitalising and sustaining the cultural
festival, noting that” since its introduction six years ago, Ilorin
Emirate has not remained the same, especially in the realms of
cultural evolution and economic development.”
“The annual event has continuously served its essence by attracting
tourists and other stakeholders from far and near. It is also
incontrovertible that our community’s people benefit greatly from this
annual festival.
“It is getting clearer that Ilorin Emirate Durbar has assumed its
uniqueness. It is becoming totally unique compared to what is done in
other Emirates. This is because our uniqueness as a people manifests
in our durbar,” Alapasanpa added.
Alapasanpa hailed the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,” for
supporting the festival and for the numerous achievements of his
administration in the last five years.”
