Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, yesterday, joined the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, for #IlorinDurbar, the yearly socio-cultural festival of the emirate involving colourful horse-riding and other cultural displays.
The governor had earlier paid homage to the monarch, after which his delegation went back to mount horses as part of the ceremony that attracted traditional title-holders and Ilorin sons and daughters.
Mounted on the back of his decorated horse, alongside his brother, the Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr. Alimi Abdulrazaq, the governor congratulated the people of the emirate on the festival, which honours the Islamic monarchy of Sheikh Alimi, projects the valour of its people, unites the community and boosts local economy.
The AbdulRazaq administration has made cultural festivals across the state a key component of its drive for a greater Kwara, in which a handful of projects, including visual arts centre, innovation hub, sugar factory and international conference centre are undertaken to build a new economy around tourism eco-system, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Decked in cultural attires, the Abdulrazaqs flaunted several horses mounted by members of the family to welcome the monarch’s entourage, keeping alive the long-standing tradition that sees the monarch tour his community ahead of the grand parade and other ceremonies at his forecourt later in the day.
Chiefs on the royal train are the Ciroma of Ilorin, Mayaki of Ilorin, Magaji Ngeri of Ilorin, among others.
All government electronic media and some private ones beamed the procession live.
Speaking to reporters as he joined the emir, the governor said: “We thank Almighty Allah for making us witness another Durbar of Ilorin Emirate. It is a significant culture to the people, which we commemorate every year. This event brings us all together to be our brother’s keepers.
“We believe in our religion and, of course, our culture and monarchy. At the back-end of this is the economic benefit to the state and the emirate as well. Businesses are doing well. You can see how the people are happy with the ceremony. We are having a good time today in Ilorin. In fact, we are enjoying it.”
The Ilorin Durbar is on the second day of Eid ul-Adha (festival of animal slaughtering), bringing together thousands of citizens from the city and visitors.
