By Taiwo Niyi
The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has called for prayers for peace and stability in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 2024 Durbar celebration held in front of his palace in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday, the Emir urged Nigerians to continue to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration with prayers.
The Emir expressed optimism that the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration would soon yield positive 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,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Emir, accompanied by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, his elder brother and Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq, along with other traditional and honorary chiefs, rode on horseback through designated routes in Ilorin metropolis.
The horse riding procession began around 11 a.m and returned to the palace’s forecourt at about 3:30 pm.
Other eminent personalities that accompanied the Emir were 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; Director General of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Comrade Issa Aremu; Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, Prof. Shaykh-Lukman Jimoh; and Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee, Engr Suleiman Alapasanpa, expressed satisfaction the turnout at the event which was attended by many distinguished guests, including policymakers 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 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 in our Durbar,” Alapasanpa added.
He also hailed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for supporting the festival and commended the numerous achievements of his administration over the last five years.