The Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari just clocked 27 years on the throne. In this report, UMAR BAYO ABDULWAHB writes on the celebration that also saw the state NUJ organising a colloquium in his honour, just as the ancient Islamic city of Ilorin also aid homage by coming to a standstill.
At a recent colloquium on the Emir of Ilorin, speakers sought constitutional roles for traditional rulers,
Ilorin Emirate and significance of 11/11 to the throne.
Eleven/Eleven (11/11) meaning the 11th day in the eleventh month of the year is a popular slogan associated with that significant day as it heralds the day the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari climbed the throne of his forefathers as the 11th Emir.
That day has become an annual significant moment being celebrated in the acient Islamic city of Ilorin Emirate.
Apart from the fact that the reign of the Emir who is the chairman, Kwara state Cuncil of Chiefs has witnessed peace and development, the eleven/ eleven anniversary celebration has become an important event that is being documented by the Emirate, academic institutions and even the media in the state.
Therefore, this year’ s event that marked the 27th year anniversary on the throne of the Emir was celebrated in a grand style with the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) instituting a colloquium in his honour.
Echoes from the colloquium
At the event organised by the NUJ in collaboration with the Ilorin Emirate Council, speakers including men fron the academia, jurists and technocrats called for constitutional roles for traditional rulers in the country.
They also said the roles of the monarch in maintaining security in their domains should be further enhanced and entrenched in the constitution.
They harped on the need for government to fashion out constitutional roles for traditional rulers in order to enable them bail the country out of its hydraheaded security problems.
Speakers at the event included Prof Ibrahim Jawondo; Engr Yusuf Sagaya, a retired security chief; Alh Aliyu Otta-Othman, Justice Salihu Mohammed and Kwara NUJ chairman, Comrade Ahmed AbdulLateef.
The Emir was represented at the event by the most senior high chief in Ilorin Emirate, the Balogun Gambari of Ilorin, Alh Aliyu Adebayo.
The guest lecturer, Prof Ibrahim Jawondo of the University of Ilorin said that traditional rulers should be meaningfully involved in the governance of the country.
He said, “Experiences have shown that the involvement of traditional rulers in act of governance would go a long way in solving some teething problems in the country. Therefore, it would be better if constitutional roles are fashioned out for traditional rulers rather than the fire-fighting and adhoc engagements given to them,” Jawondo said.
The university don also said that honorary title holders should seek deeper meaning of the responsibilities of the titles conferred on them and act most appropriately, adding that the step would help the traditional rulers the more in administrating their domains.
“The hereditary rulers need to do more in their supervisory roles at their territories to curb social vices which continue to be on the increase on daily basis. Greed resulting into injustice should be shunned to regain their lost glories. Kudos to the Emir who ruled that they must stay at their various posts,” he said.
The state chairman of NUJ, Comrade Abdullateef said that people could not but celebrate the Emir of Ilorin because of the importance an average Ilorin indigene attaches to his historical turbaning event also admirably referred to as 11/11.
The NUJ chairman said that the Emirate in the past 27 years had undergone different phases of development both in physical and non-physical.
However, he asked indigenes of the state capital to collectively proffer solution to the teething problem of insecurity, unemployment, rising cost of living and the usual threat to peaceful coexistence just as the country approaches the 2023 general elections.
The chairman of the occasion and Zannan of Ilorin, Engr Yusuf Sagaya, who was represented by Alh Ibrahim Salman, noted that Ilorin Emirate has witnessed peace and unprecedented growth in the past 27 years.
In his remarks, the chairman of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alh Aliyu Otta- Othman described the Emir as a kind-hearted leader who always feels and shares in the pains of his subjects.
A former Grand Khadi of the state, Justice Salihu Mohammed, corroborated Otta-Othman, acknowledging the positive role the Emir played in his career as a judicial officer.
Emir heralded new era of growth and development – Gov AbdulRazaq
Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who congratulated the Emir on the 27th anniversary of his ascension to the throne of Sheikh Alimi, said his throne has heralded a new era of growth and development.
According to the governor, “On behalf of the people and government of Kwara state, I congratulate His Royal Highness, Mai Martaba, the Emir of Ilorin on this landmark. His reign has not only been peaceful; it has heralded a new era of growth and development to Ilorin. Under him, sons, daughters and residents of Ilorin have attained new heights in leadership across various platforms of human endeavour, including in politics and economy,” the governor said in a statement.
“As an administration, we are especially grateful to His Royal Highness for his support, fatherly advice and royal leadership all of which have helped to strengthen our developmental efforts. With his support, our administration is transforming the capital city to become more beautiful amidst new economic opportunities and solid plans for sustainable living.
“The government indeed congratulates Mai Martaba and the people of Ilorin on this anniversary and we beseech Almighty Allah to ease the affairs of His Royal Highness and grant him good health and honour always.”
