Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Salihu-Danladi, has assured that the House would ensure passage of relevant laws to institutionalise the Ilorin Emirate annual durbar.
He said the enactment of such legislations would be in tandem with the aspirations of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to turn the state into a culture and tourism destination.
The speaker gave the assurance when members of the Ilorin Emirate Durba Committee, led by its chairman, Engr. Yahaya Alapansanpa, paid him a courtesy visit at the Assembly complex, Ilorin.
He assured that the lawmakers would ensure immediate passage of relevant legislation including budget for the durbar, which he noted, has come to stay with wider acceptance.
Salihu-Danladi noted that the festival has united the people of Ilorin Emirate, the state and the entire nation and commended the emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, for reintroducing the festival that has attracted global attention.
He said that the lawmakers would participate in horse riding, which he noted is the hallmark of the durbar.
Earlier, the leader of the House, Barr. Abdulkadir Magaji, had commended members of the durbar committee for sustaining the annual festival.
The chairman of the durbar committee, Engr. Yahaya Alapansanpa, recalled that the festival had been in existence since during the era of Sheikh Abdulsalam, albeit low key, adding that the incumbent emir of Ilorin raised it to its present standard from 2018 to date.
Alapansanpa said the festival has showcased the rich culture and tradition of the people of the Ilorin Emirate to the outside world.
He added that UNESCO, Canada, multinationals, governments, organisations and individuals have indicated interest in participating in this year’s durbar.
