The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of Kwara State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has praised the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, highlighting his commitment to development and good governance in Kwara State.
The Emir expressed these views when the Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr Alimi Abdulrazaq led a mammoth crowd of family members, associates, members of the State Executive Council and well-wishers on a thank you visit to the Emir’s palace in Ilorin, the state capital on the title of Sardauna of Ilorin confered on Governor AbdulRazaq.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari poured enconmiums on Alimi and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who are sons of the first Mutawali of Ilorin, the late AGF AbdulRazaq (SAN).
The Emir said that the two brothers earned the titles bestowed on them by the palace, emphasising that: ‘They merited the titles. We don’t give award to people who do not merit it. I thank Allah for their lives.’
Describing Governor AbdulRazaq as a blessing to Ilorin Emirate, the Em
ir said his appointment as the chairman of the Nigeria’s Governors Forum (NGF) is a show of Allah’ s love for Ilorin Emirate and testament to answered prayers.
‘Governor AbdulRazaq earned his appointment as NGF chairman because it takes a knowledgeable person to lead such a group of knowledgeable personalities.
‘The Almighty Allah will answer Governor AbdulRazaq’s prayers and further elevate him. He’s doing well and has been bringing fortunes to the state and Ilorin,’ Sulu-Gambari declared.
The Emir also poured encomiums on Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq, recalling that ‘Dr. Alimi and I started our relationship about 50 years ago. And during this period, I’m yet to see his shortcomings.’
Also Read: Emir confers traditional title on Kwara Governor
Betrayal
The Emir advised political office holders in the state against betraying the state governor, emphasizing that, ‘anyone that betrays Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, betrays Ilorin.’ He warned political office holders of the dire consequences of the act of betray
al.
Sulu-Gambari recalled that his own father, the 9th Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulukarnaini Gambari, also gave a similar warning to the commissioners serving under the late General AbdulKareem Adisa in Oyo State when they accompanied Adisa to the palace in 1992.
Earlier, Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq, pledged allegiance to the Emir, assuring him that he and Governor AbdulRazaq will justify the confidence reposed in them.
He added that ‘we shall deliver excellently on the task that Your Royal Highness assigned us through the titles of Mutawali and Sardauna bestowed on us.’
Alimi who spoke through Dr Yusuf Lawal, said: ‘We come with our family members, friends and well-wishers to come and thank the Emir. It’s rare for a family to have two distinct titles- Mutawali and Sardauna of Ilorin at the same time.
‘Our family members and friends are happy that their sons got the titles based on their pedigree and conduct and consideration for the future of Ilorin’
Prominent dignitaries that accompanied the Mutawali to the pal
ace included the Magajin Geri of Ilorin, majority leader, Kwara State House of Assembly, Barr. AbdulKadir Magaji, the secretary to the state government, Prof. Mamman Saaba, the Senior Adviser/Counselor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu and commissioners in the State Government .
Others are the Non- Executive Director of NNPCL, Dr Ghali Alaaya, former vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali, special adviser on Media, Alhaji Bashiru Adigun, Special Adviser, Special Duties, Alhaji AbdulRasaq Jiddah, Senior Special Assistant on Religion (Islam), Alhaji Ibrahim Danmaigoro, KWASSIP General Manager, Dr AbdulWasiu Tejidini, Adviser on party affairs, Alhaji Mashood Alaka and Regional Editor of Leadership newspapers, Alhaji Abdullahi Olesin.
Source: Voice of Nigeria