By Saliu Woru Mohammed
Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, CFR was appointed the 11th Emir of Ilorin on the 18th August, 1995. The coronation ceremony took place on the 11th November of the same year. He immediately swung into action by providing his people with exemplary leadership starting from giving the palace a befitting outlook with the construction of new modern structures which include residential royal house for Sultan of Sokoto, Emirs and other eminent visitors. It is delighted to note that the ancient palace now has more palace chambers than ever before. The project also covers modern lawn tennis court and a befitting clinic in the palace.
His reign has witnessed unprecedented electoral victories and appointment of sons and daughters of Ilorin Emirate into prominent positions. These includes Dr. Bukola Saraki as a two-term governor of Kwara State and later Senate President, Federal republic of Nigeria; the two-term elections of the immediate past Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, whose mother hailed from Ilorin and emergence of incumbent Kwara State Chief Executive, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. Others includes the appointment of Professor Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, former Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin and that of Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah as Pioneer Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University, Malete as well as his successor, Professor Mahmud Mustapha Akanbi, SAN.
Furthermore, his reign has equally witnessed the appointment of Major-General Abdullahi Muhammad Adangba (retd) as Chief of Staff to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, coupled with that of the Naval Chief, Ola Saadu as Chief of Defence Staff. Also worth mentioning were the appointment of the following Ilorin indigenes into the exalted position of Chief Judge in the Kwara State Judiciary; Justice Saka Yusuf; Justice Raliat Elelu and Justice Suleiman Durosinlohun Kawu. Also, the Emir’s reign has witnessed the emergence of incorruptible sons of the emirate as Grand Kadi of the State Sharia Court of Appeal. These include Justice AbdulMutalib Ambali, Justice Abdulkadir Oba Imam, Justice Idris Abdullahi Haroon, Justice S. O. Muhammed and the incumbent, Justice Ola Abdulkadir. Other Ilorin notable indigenes yet to be mentioned also enjoyed federal and State key appointments and the latest was the recent appointment of Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, an international diplomat par excellence as Chief of Staff to the President, federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR just to mention a few.
Emir Ibrahim Sulu Gambari’s sound relationship with the government facilitated the construction of good road network, overhead bridges, the establishment of School of Aviation and Kwara State University, Malete, as well as commendable renovation of Ilorin Central Jumaat Mosque, the first of its kind in Africa. At this junction, I wish to commend all and sundry that made the renovation of the mosque a reality.
Aside the renovation of Kwara State General Hospital Ilorin, it is noted with joy that his reign has brought about the establishment of Shehu Alimi Islamic Foundation, the proposed Agbeyangi University by Alhaji Dr. Oba Solagberu, Al-Hikma University by Dr. Abdulraheem Oladimeji Igbaja, Crown Hill University along Ballah Road, Police Secondary School, Ballah, Muyideen College of Education, Imam Amusa College of Education and others.
The monarch in a bid to boost the industrial activities in the state, encouraged the establishment of the following industries: Tuyil Pharmaceutical, Bioraj and Peace Pharmaceutical Industries, Kam Wire Industries, Dangote Flour Company, Sobi FM, Royal FM, Alubarika FM and KASMAG Motors and a host of others. One is delighted to note that these industries have been providing job opportunities to hundreds of jobless people and thus boosting the economy of the state and beyond.
In a gigantic effort to create unity among various Islamic State Council of Ulama under the leadership of Chief Imam of Ilorin, Dr. Muhammad Bashir Solihu with retired Grand Kadir of Kwara State, Justice S. O. Muhammad, as Secretary made far reaching efforts towards this regard. Other members include the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdulhameed Ahmed and other distinguished Islamic scholars drown from the 16 local government areas of the state. The council has been discharging his mandate effectively and efficiently. The historic effort of the Royal Father will no doubt bring about the desired unity and synergy in the operation of the various Islamic organizations not only in the Ilorin Emirate, but indeed in the state as a whole.
Perhaps, it is interesting to mention that the Emir Ibrahim Sulu Gambari recently established committee on Durbar Festival with Dan Masani of Ilorin, Engineer Suleiman Yahaya Alapansanpa, as Chairman while this columnist is among the distinguished members of Committee. The mandate is to revive Ilorin Emirate heritage and rich culture, create unity and harmony among various communities in Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State in general. Associate Professor of History, Dr. Ibrahim Jawondo of University of Ilorin serves as the new Durbar Committee Secretary. Again, the Durbar Committee has displayed outstanding performance for two years, and achieved the desired result of its mandate.
I would like to mention that since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world, the Emir has given unequal leadership in support of government efforts by distributing food stuff as palliatives to the people of Ilorin Emirate. This royal initiative is really commendable.
His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari is simply a Muslim with rare disposition and passion for Islam. Apart from coming from a purely Muslim background, he is a devoted Muslim, who identifies always with every noble cause of Islam as ably revealed in his thoughts, actions, deeds and utterances.
He is God-fearing as he puts Allah first in anything he intends doing officially or unofficially as the case may appear to be. He is also a strict adherent to the tenet of Islam, the teaching of the Holy Qur’an and the hadith (way of life) of our great Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He is neither an extremist nor a fundamentalist; rather he is a modest Muslim with distaste for tribal sentiment.
His outstanding disposition to the cause of Islam and general well-being of his people put him as one of the best Spiritual Muslim leaders in the country. A lot of people and on many occasions have given credence to his characters and virtues. His driving force is majorly the fear of Allah. He is today a shining light replica of the late Sheikh Alimi in all ramifications which are the hammertoes of good leadership. His outstanding epitome of good leadership is deeply rooted in the fear of Allah, honesty of purpose and transparency.
Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari is a lover and promoter of peace. He is a devoted Muslim but liberal on religious matters as he has sponsored people on pilgrimage to Mecca and Jerusalem. He enjoys providing solace and succor to people but detests cheating and injustice. No wonder his reign has witnessed tremendous peace and developments.
His Royal Highness makes sure that every sector of his administration is given maximum attention. And seeing that agriculture is one of the major important sectors of the country’s economy, He has continued to prioritise the sector. He warns his traditional chiefs not to sell land in the Emirate entrusted to them by him but to use the land judiciously for farming. He is not only a good farmer, but he encourages others to engage in farming project, so that Ilorin Emirate and indeed Kwara State can become food basket of the nation.
Emir Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari is inexhaustible to quantify. The Emir is generally good. Just too simple, he has demonstrated that he is the leader for all, irrespective of tribal, religious, or ethnic affiliations. He is for the rich, the poor, the natives and the non-natives. His Royal Highness’ passion for humanity made him my role model. He is a leader that cares for his people, listens and acts appropriately.
Like some of his predecessors, Emir Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari faced many unpalatable challenges created by one civilian administration in the state, attempted to adulterate Emirate system of government which He surmounted the challenges with the help of God and his well-wishers.
The monarch modified the name of Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) to Ilorin Emirate descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) in a bid to achieve and promote unity in diversity, among various communities in the five local governments that form the Emirate. His vision has been adjudged to be highly commendable worthy of emulation.
*Mohammed is the Magaji Nda of Ilorin.
