The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari has commended members of Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee under the Chairmanship of the Danmasani of Ilorin, Engr Suleiman Oba Yahaya Alapansanpa for sustaining the tempo of the durbar festival since it was revived in 2018.
According to him, he was impressed that the committee had not let him and the entire people of the Emirate down due to their unrelenting efforts to sustain the durbar festival which he described as unique and outstanding across the country and even beyond.
The Emir expressed these views when he received members of the Durbar committee in his palace.
Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, who offered special prayers for members of the committee, approved the commencement for the preparations for this year’s durbar, which will be holding on the third day of Eid Kabir festival.
The Emir noted that the Ilorin Emirate Durbar has gone international as the entire universe has embraced it and therefore called on all sons and daughters of the Emirate as well as friends and lovers of the Emirate to come out enmass and support the committee and also be physically present during the festival.
Alhaji Sulu Gambari noted that the members of the committee most times leave their personal and atimes their official duties to ensure that the festival succeeds.
The Emir used the period of the courtesy visit to watch a part of the 2024 durbar, which showcased the rich culture and heritage of Ilorin Emirate and its outstanding sons and daughters
According to the monarch, going by the 2024 documentary, the Ilorin Emirate Durbar is not only unique but progressively improving in standards and has also surpassed the one earlier held.
Alhaji Sulu Gambari, who is the Chancellor of Bayero University Kano and Muhammad Kammaludeen University, Ilorin, acknowledged the high standards introduced to the festival by the committee and expressed the hope that it would be improved upon.
The Emir added that according to media report , the 2024 durbar produced one of the best oganised durbar events laced with melodious Quranic recitations and cultural display.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Engr Yahaya Alapansanpa and Danmasani of Ilorin thanked Emir for the support and confidence he has in members and assured that they would not relent in improving yearly on the festival.
He attributed the modest achievements the committee has recorded to the support and prayers from the Emir and particularly the contributions , interest, and the resolve of the state government to take the annual festival to an enviable standard
In addition, we can not overemphasized the contributions of non government organisations, notable individuals, and the entire Emirate.
Alapansanpa praised the Emir for his vision and mission and his strategic thoughts to reinvigorate Durbar as a significant cultural activity in the Emirate.
The Chairman of the committee was accompanied on the royal visit by prominent members including the Secretary, Professor Jawondo Abdulganiyu, the Chairman, Sub- Security Committee, Retired AIG Adisa Bolanta, Former IEDPU President, Alhaji Yahaya Oko Alaro Ahmed,IEDPU Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Nuru Ibrahim, the treasurer, Alhaji Yinka Yahaya, Barrister Aiyegbami Bushra , Alhaji Ahmed Bolaji, Muhammed Jamiu and the Chairman, Sub- Publicity Committee, Alhaji Tunde Akanbi.
