The Ilorin Emirate Council has confirmed that this year’s annual grand durbar festival will now hold at the palace square of the Emir of Ilorin at the specified date and time.
The Spokesman to the Emir of Ilorin, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, stated this in a statement issued on Sunday noting that the earlier scheduled venue which was the Stadium Complex cannot be used because of the nature of the event which is mainly horse race.
He noted that the terrain which is exclusively meant for football and other sporting activities is not suitable for horse race event in order to avoid destruction of the beautiful and world-class football field constructed by the State Government.
Speaking further, the Personal Assistant to the Emir, Alhaji Murtala Abdulraheem, clarified that, “the state government also notified the Emir of its readiness to upgrade the Metropolitan Square along Asa Dam or the Base-Ball Park along Adewole-Adeta area for that purpose.
“The notice was too short for immediate action that was why the choice of either of the two venues was postponed till next year for proper planning and consideration. The decision for the change of venue was done in good faith in order to protect our heritage for continuous use for sporting activities and field events.”
