By Ahmed ‘Lateef
The Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; former Chief of Staff to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq; Founder, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Alhaji (Chief) Abdulraheem Oladimeji; and foremost industrialist, Dr Kamoru Ibitoye Yusuf, have congratulated the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, on the commemoration of his 86th Birthday Anniversary.
They extended the congratulatory messages through separate statements issued and made available to Journalists in Ilorin.
Governor AbdulRazaq described the monarch as a great leader who exhibits love for his subjects and works for peace of the community.
“I join sons and daughters of Ilorin Emirate and the whole of Kwara State to congratulate His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari (CFR), on his 86th birthday anniversary.
“We thank the Almighty Allaah for His enduring mercies and grace on His Royal Highness. The Emir of Ilorin is a great leader who deeply loves his subjects and works for peace.
“We appreciate Mai Martaba for his remarkable commitment to the progress of the state and his continued support for the development agenda of our administration.
“I ask Allaah to continue to uphold His Royal Highness upon goodness and grant him many more years of happiness, grace, and good health,” the Governor said.
Professor Gambari, commended the traditional ruler for demonstrating exceptional leadership quality through his peace building initiative, aimed at advancing unity and progress of Ilorin township and its environs.
In his congratulatory message issued from University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States, Gambari, a former Minister of External Affairs, expressed delight that Ilorin has taken a new shape for good, courtesy of the development-driven agenda of the foremost monarch.
The Professor of Political Science and International Relations commended the Emir for helping to expand the frontiers of knowledge and good governance in the community, using the instrumentality of his decades of experience in the temple of justice.
“I take this moment to felicitate the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Highness, Maimartaba Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, on the commemoration of his 86th Birthday. This is not a mean feat in the earthly journey of a man.
“And it is gratifying to note that our Royal Father has taken it upon himself the development-driven agenda to see that Ilorin is making steady progress among its contemporaries.
“Since his ascension to the throne, the Emir of Ilorin has demonstrated exceptional leadership quality through his peace building initiative, aimed at advancing unity and cause of Ilorin township and its environs. For us, this is not surprising, taking cognizance of his ocean of experience in the temple of justice,” he said.
Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq also felicitated the Emir of Ilorin on his new age, praising his enduring leadership and commitment to peace and unity in the Ilorin Emirate.
He described Sulu-Gambari as a revered monarch whose reign continues to exemplify wisdom, dignity and a deep sense of responsibility to his people.
AbdulRazaq said the Emir has remained a custodian of the Emirate’s cultural and religious heritage, noting that his foresight and compassion have strengthened harmony and cohesion across the community.
“Your Royal Highness has been a pillar of stability and a guiding force whose leadership continues to inspire unity and progress within the Emirate and beyond,” he said.
The Mutawali commended the Emir’s fatherly role and contributions to societal development, saying his leadership has continued to foster mutual understanding among the people.
“As Your Royal Highness marks another year, I pray that Allah grants you many more years in good health and wisdom to continue serving the Emirate,” he added.
Dr Kamoru Yusuf said the reign of the revered monarch attracted unprecedented development in the annals of the ancient city.
Yusuf, who is the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kam Holding Limited, said the people of Ilorin Emirate are fortunate to have a cosmopolitan leader as custodian of their customs and tradition.
He identified the traditional ruler as a detribalized Nigerian and exemplary figure, who leaders at whatever levels, should take a cue from.
He noted that Dr Sulu-Gambari has served the Almighty Allah and humanity through his series of interventions in community and national development, declaring that the people of Ilorin Emirate and indeed Kwara are happy to have him as their traditional leader.
“It is my utmost delight to congratulate our revered royal father, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR on celebration of your birthday anniversary. As a leader, you are reputed for being cosmopolitan and urbane. Your Royal Highness, you are acknowledged as a reservoir of knowledge and wisdom that every Nigerian is drawing from.
“I join eminent Nigerians and admirers from all over the globe to wish you a Happy Birthday laced with joy and happiness,” he said.
The founder, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin said Ilorin township under the monarch’s reign is experiencing growth and development.
Oladimeji, who is the Jagunmolu of Igbomina Land and Arogundade of Lagos, identified the renowned traditional ruler as a pathfinder of peace and stability.
The business mogul rejoiced with the monarch for not being discriminatory toward any faith and tribe in his administration of the ancient city and identified the Emir of Ilorin as a development-driven traditional ruler, who has continued to encourage the well to do among his subjects to create opportunities for people at the rung of the ladder.
He noted that the respect and reverence Dr Sulu-Gambari enjoys from the people of Ilorin Emirate could not be divorced from the way and manner he has prioritized their welfare and well-being.
Oladimeji, however, beseeched the Almighty Allah to grant the monarch longevity of life and sound health to enable him preside over the affairs of the Ilorin Emirate for a long time to come.
