The Emir of Ilorin, Alh. 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 prayers.
Sulu-Gambari spoke at the 2024 Durbar celebration post-Eid-el-Kabir held at the forecourt of his palace in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
He expressed optimism that the economic reforms of the Tinubu 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 monarch said.
Earlier in the day, the Emir, accompanied by the State governor, AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq, the governor’s older brother and Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq, other traditional and honourary chiefs, rode on horse back through designated routes in Ilorin metropolis.
The horse riding procession began at about 11am while the Emir and his entourage returned 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; Engr. Lanre Sagaya (Zanan of Ilorin); 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 chairman, Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee, Engr. Suleiman Alapasanpa, expressed satisfaction that the event 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 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 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 also hailed the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq “for supporting the festival and on the numerous achievements of his administration in the last five years.”
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