By Mumini AbdulKareem
The Chairman, Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee, Engr. Suleiman Yahaya Alapansanpa has said that concerted efforts are on to use the forthcoming Durbar ceremony in Ilorin to launch the city into the global map.
Alapansanpa spoke in Ilorin on Tuesday when he led his committee to pay the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, a courtesy visit at the command’s headquarters along Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin at the instance of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu-Gambari.
The event scheduled to hold later in the year, is the second edition of the durbar ceremony in Ilorin which will also feature horse riding.
Describing the durbar as one of the cultural heritage of the Ilorin Emirate, Alapansanpa disclosed that it was aimed at displaying the royalty and prowess of the emirate during warfare, which was used to expand its territory.
He said “The the focus of the ceremony was to draw global attention to Ilorin which would ultimately attract investors to the state.
“Over 500 horses would be on display during the event and there would be need for heavy presence of police personnel because of the unprecedented crowd expected to attend”, he submitted.
Receiving the team, Egbetokun pledged his commitment to ensure a hitch free 2019 grand durbar in Ilorin adding that the force would work with the committee to make the event peaceful.
The police boss revealed that the police institution has an existing synergy with sister security agencies in the state and would not hesitate to mobilise their personnel for the event.
He also promised to deploy an Area Commander of the force to work directly with the durbar committee as part of measures to provide adequate security for the ceremony.
Egbetokun therefore urged the committee to partner with the force, assuring that the command was ready to assist to make the event worthwhile.
Also speaking during the event, a former Grand Kadi of the Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, and member of the Durbar Committee, Justice Salihu Oloruntoyin Muhammad (retd) reiterated that the people of the emirate are peace loving and commended the police for being up and doing in their duties.
Muhammad, who specifically applauded the Commissioner of Police for maintaining professionalism since his deployment to the state, prayed for divine elevation for him.
The committee also visited the State Director of State Security Service (SSS), Mr Abdulmumini Abdullahi, in his office in Ilorin.
The SSS Director, Abdullahi said cultural revival was needed in the country, pointing out that the prevalence of problems in the society was to due to the inability of the youth to be acquainted with their background.
