Emir of Ilorin,Unilorin VC Congratulate Sultan On 20th Coronation Anniversary

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on the 20th anniversary of his coronation, while the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole (SAN), has congratulated the Sultan and former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, on his turbaning as Kuliyan Sokoto.

Sulu-Gambari, in a statement signed by his spokesman, Dr Arowona Abdulaziz, described the Sultan’s 20 years on the throne as a celebration of purposeful leadership, spiritual guidance and steadfast commitment to the unity of the Muslim Ummah and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

He commended the Sultan for preserving the heritage of the Sokoto Caliphate while promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and respect across religious, ethnic and cultural divides.

The Emir also praised the Sultan’s leadership as President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), noting his efforts to strengthen Muslim unity, encourage consultation and promote constructive engagement on issues affecting Islam and national development.

Sulu-Gambari reaffirmed the historical and spiritual ties between the Ilorin Emirate and the Sokoto Caliphate, describing the relationship as a cherished inheritance sustained by faith, scholarship and shared values.

Similarly, Egbewole congratulated the Sultan on the milestone and commended him for conferring the traditional title of Kuliyan Sokoto on Oloyede, who served as the university’s vice chancellor from 2007 to 2012.

In a statement issued by the university’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, Egbewole described the title as a well-deserved honour for a distinguished public servant, bridge-builder and statesman.

He said the conferment recognised Oloyede’s contributions to educational development, service excellence, community service and humanitarian activities.

Egbewole, who also congratulated Oloyede on the traditional honour, said, “The new chieftaincy title is in recognition of his well-known contributions to the nation’s educational development, service excellence, community service, and humanitarian credentials.”

He further described Oloyede, a professor of Islamic jurisprudence and Secretary-General of the NSCIA, as “a veritable symbol of renewed hope for national rebirth.”