The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, Thursday, traced the long-standing traditional Sallah homage to the state governor to a practice observed as far back as during British rule in Nigeria.
Sulu- Gmabari who underscored the significance of the annual Sallah homage during his visit to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the Governent House, Ilorin, said it was important to inculcate the sense of history in the future generation.
Going down memory lane, the he said: “I am very happy to be here as usual. It has been our longstanding tradition in Ilorin and other northern states. After the governor had visited the palace, the Emir will come to say hello to the governor. British soldiers used to be here. It used to be called barracks. That is why it is called Bareke. My forebears used to come here to say hello. The same thing is being imitated. We thank God for that because a nation without history is a dead one. I thank everybody here for coming here for the annual event. May God make you prosper.”
He said he was satisfied with the policies and programmes of Gov. AbdulRazaq-led administration. He called them pro-masses, adding that the governor is doing well.
The emir commended the people-focused, non-discriminatory programmes of the administration and its impacts on the populace.
“Your Excellency, you have been doing well. Please continue to do well and God will reward you abundantly for that. We want peace in Kwara state. We want peace in Ilorin. We don’t want trouble,” Dr. Sulu-Gambari said.
“We should all learn and cultivate the habit of living together in peace and harmony. Your Excellency, you are doing alright. May God continue to guide you aright. May God be with you and live long with happiness and good results of your deeds.”
Gov. AbdulRazaq assured the people of the state that his administration would not relent in meeting their yearnings and aspirations, irrespective of their social status. He added that the recent video of a female pensioner was a testimonial of how the administration has changed the story of the average worker and citizen.
“Our administration is for the people. We stand for inclusive growth and development. We stand for the general well-being of the citizens. The trending video of a woman pensioner who acknowledged what we have done to change the conditions of our senior citizens is a pointer to what we represent.
“While that video is a good feedback on our priorities, I reassured her and all our people that we will not drop the ball. Within the resources available to us, we will not be blind to the need of any segment of our population,” he said.
