By Jimoh Sulyman
The immediate past Senate President and the Chairman of the 8th national Assembly, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has congratulated the new Turaki of Ilorin, Mallam Saliu Mustapha.
In His goodwill message, the former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, congratulated and felicitated with the newly turbaned Turakin Ilorin, Mallam Mustapha on the occasion of his turbaning.
Saraki, who is the present Wazirin Ilorin and the immediate past Turakin Ilorin sent the congratulatory message to his successor via a post on his social media accounts on Friday.
The post reads, “My family and I congratulate the Turakin Ilorin, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, on the occasion of his turbaning today.
“I pray that the Almighty Allah will give you the wisdom, grace, and resources to continue to work for the development of the Ilorin Emirate”, he said.
Friday, 22nd of October, a day of colour, a day of celebration of culture in the ancient city of Ilorin, as many came from far and near to attend the beautiful occasion as the city honoured an Illustrious son of hers.
It was a joyous celebration at the historic Palace of Ilorin as the Emir of Ilorin, Mai Martaba, Sarkin Ilorin, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari turbaned the business mogul and philanthropist, Mallam Saliu Mustapha as the new Turakin Ilorin.
Many dignitaries present at the occasion included the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Senator Ali Ndume; Dr. Kamorudeen Yusuf; Hajia Bola Shagaya; Danmasani of Ilorin, Engr Suleiman Alapansanpa and many others.
The Ilorin Emirate Traditional Chiefs that graced the occasion were, Balogun Fulani, Alhaji S.A.B Fulani; Balogun Ajikobi, Alhaji Isiaka Okunrin-Jeje; Balogun Gambari, Alhaji Muhammed Adebayo; Magaji Aare, Alhaji Shuaib Zubair; Baba Isale, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Ile Apa; Galadima of Ilorin, Alhaji Umar Adelodun and others.
Alhaji Sulaiman Kayode Yusuf, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Ajia and many others,the Deputy Governor of Kogi state, Chief Edward Onoja, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr Nihinlola Akanbi and Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, among others.
The gathering was also a show of royalty with plethora of royal fathers, such as the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero; Emir of Lafiagi, Olofa of Offa, Elese of Igbaja, Olupo of Ajase Ipo, Olosi of Osi, Emir of Okuta, Etsu of Pategi and many others.
Also in attendance were several religious leaders in Ilorin led by, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu. Others present were Imam Gambari, Sheikh Sulaiman Abdulazeez; Imam Imale, Sheikh Abdullah AbdulHameed; Ajanasi Agba, Sheikh Mujtaba Bature; Alfa Rabana, Alh. Yahaya Kokeu; Sheikh Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa; the Mufti of Ilorin; Sheikh AbdulQodir Oba Solagberu, Malami Ubandoma of Ilorin and many others.
The new Chief, Mallam Mustapha said “I accept the title with joy and promise to be a worthy Turaki of llorin to the best of my ability at all times”.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Emir of llorin for the honour done to him, promising to continue working tirelessly towards the development of the llorin Emirate and beyond.
He also acknowledged the enormous responsibility in the title and prayed God to guard and guide him at all times in the discharge of the expected responsibilities.
The Chief lmam of llorin, Alhaji Muhammed Bashir Solihu, while offering prayer before the turbaning alluded that Mallam Mustapha merited the title of Turaki owing to his contributions to the upliftment of the less privileged in the society.
The cleric however advised the new Turaki to further intensify efforts towards the development of the llorin Emirate, praying to God to grant the Turaki long life and wisdom to discharge his duties.
The title of Turakin Ilorin was first held by Late Alhaji Sanni Olanrewaju Buraimo Okin between 1960 and 1972, later by the Second Republic Senate Leader and father of modern Kwara politics, the late Olusola Saraki between 1974 and 2006, followed by his son, Dr Bukola Saraki who held the position from 2006 to 2018 when he was made the Wazirin Ngeri of Ilorin and now Mallam Saliu Mustapha.
The ceremony was brought to a conclusion when His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin presented the Certificate of Chieftaincy to Mallam Mustapha who, in turn appreciated the honour done to him by giving the traditional three bows to the Emir of Ilorin.
