The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari on Tuesday 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.
Speaking at the 2024 durbar celebration held at the frontage of his palace in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, Sulu-Gambari expressed optimism that the economic reforms of the 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 Ilorin monarch said.
Also, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and his family joined the Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari for the annual Ilorin Grand Durbar as usual.
The governor described the event as “an occasion to celebrate our cultural heritage with class, pride, and gratitude to the Almighty Allaah. Like the IEDPU Conference, the Ilorin Durbar has become a national spectacle as it unites our people behind the leadership of Mai Martaba the Emir of Ilorin and projects the unique beauty of our heritage as the southernmost Emirate.
“It is gratifying to mention that our iconic Sugar Film Factory is currently producing a documentary on the Ilorin Durbar as a national cultural heritage. We believe that the Ilorin Durbar is long due to be so designated by the UNESCO”.
The governor thanked sons and daughters of the Emirate for turning out in their numbers for the beautiful horse ride, “which is a parade of our valour, loyalty to our Emir, and our strength as a people”.
Earlier in the day, the Emir, accompanied by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, his elder brother and Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr. Alimi Abdulrazaq, other traditional and honorary chiefs, had rode on horse back through designated routes in Ilorin metropolis.
The horse riding procession began about 11am while the Emir and his team returnned to the palace’s forecourt at about 3. 30pm.
Other eminent personalities that accompanied the Emir included the senator representing Kwara Central senatorial district in the Senate, Saliu Mustapha, Zanan of Ilorin, Engineer Lanre Sagaya, group managing director of KAM Holding Limited, Engineer Kamoru Yusuf, the director general of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Comrade Issa Aremu, the vice chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, Professor Shaykh-Lukman Jimoh and the vice chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah.
In his welcome address, the chairman, Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee, Engineer Suleiman Alapansanpa, expressed satisfaction on people’s turn out at the event as it was attended by many distinguished guests, including policy makers from all walks of life and from across and beyond Nigeria.
He praised the Emir for revitalizing 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 the people of our community are benefiting 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 due to the fact that our uniqueness as a people is manifesting on our durbar,” Alapasanpa added.
Alapasanpa hailed the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,” for supporting the festival and on the numerous achievements of his administration in the last five years”.
