Biodun Esan, Ilorin
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State on Thursday joined the royal train of the Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari for the Ilorin Durbar, the annual sociocultural festival of the emirate involving colourful horse riding and other local displays.
AbdulRazaq, who is also the chairman 9f the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) had earlier paid homage to the Emir.
He later went back home with his delegation to mount their horses as part of the cultural ceremony that attracted leading traditional title holders and thousands of Ilorin sons and daughters.
The governor on the back of his hugely decorated horse alongside his brother the Mutawali of Ilorin Dr Alimi Abdulrazaq, congratulated the people of the Emirate on the annual cultural festival in honour of the Islamic royal stool of Sheikh Alimi, projects the valour of its people, unites the community, and boosts local commerce.
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 like visual arts centre, innovation hub, sugar film factory, and international conference center, among others are being developed to build a new economy around tourism eco-system, technology and innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The governor and members of the AbdulRazaq’s family were decked in glamorous cultural attires, paraded several horses mounted by young and old members of the family to welcome the Emir’s large entourage of royal courtiers to their frontage.
The royal carriage touched base with many other family houses and Daudus, including Basambo, Abojumeji, Agaka Isale, Ajia Sakasaka, Bayero, Jiddah, Baboko, Magaji Ngeri, Taiwo, Ita Amodu, Afin, Ita Kure, among others.
A few royal chiefs were on the train such as the Ciroma of Ilorin, Mayaki of Ilorin, and Magaji Ngeri of Ilorin.
The procession was televised live across all of the government’s electronic media channels and a few other private ones.
Speaking to reporters as he joined the Emir, the Governor thanked Almighty Allah for witnessing another Durbar of Ilorin Emirate.
“It is a significantly important culture to the people of Ilorin Emirate, which we commemorate every year. This event unifies and brings us all together to be our brother’s keepers.
“We believe in our religion and of course our culture and our monarchy. At the backend of this is the economic benefit to the state and the emirate as well.
“Business activities are doing very well, hotels, commercial buildings and relaxation centres alike. You can see how the people are happy, the merriment, the horse riders and everyone.
“We are having a good time today in Ilorin. In fact, we are enjoying it,” the governor said.
The Ilorin Durbar is held on the second day of Eid-ul-Adha, or festival of animal slaughtering, bringing together thousands of citizens of the city and visitors.
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