Special prayers have been held at the behest of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Traditional Rulers, for the stability, progress and development of Nigeria.
The prayer session, which was held on Saturday at the inner palace of the Emir, and attracted prominent Islamic clerics from the Ilorin Emirate, also featured prayers for successful tenures for both
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
In his opening remarks, the Emir said: “The prayer session was to beseech Allah to restore peace to all the troubled parts of the country and crown the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at making the nation and Kwara better places for all to live.”
The prayer session was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu, who was supported by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh AbdulHamid Abdullahi, the Imam Gambari, Ajanasi and Alfa Rabana, Imam Yakubu Aliagan, the Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa, amongst others.
A powerful delegation led by the Senior Adviser and Counselor to the Governor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu, represented Governor AbdulRazaq at the prayer session.
Other members of the delegation included the Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, Barr. AbdulKadir Magaji, the Special Adviser on Special Duties, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Jiddah, Commissioner for Education, Dr Olohungbebe, Ex- Non Executive Director of NNPCL, Dr. Ghali Alaaya, Senior Special Assistant on Religion (Islam), Alhaji Ibrahim Danmaigoro, Senior Special Assistant on Politics, Kwara Central, Alhaji Sulaiman Abubakar.
Other dignitaries at the event were former Grand Khadi of Kwara State, Justice Solihu Mohammed, Chairman, Elders Forum of All Progressives Congress in the state, Barr. Kunle Sulyman, state APC Secretary, Alhaji Mustapha Isowo, Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ilorin, Alhaji AbdulLateef Alakawa, APC stalwart, Alhaji Uthman Bibire Ajape and Chairman of Alliance for Sustainable Kwara (ASK), Alhaji Razaq Lawal.
Speaking with newsmen, the Special Adviser and Counselor to Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu said: “The special prayer was organised for the resounding success of the administrations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State.
“Ilorin being citadel of knowledge in Islam, Qur’an is the guiding light of our forebears and the Emir of Ilorin is epitome of piety. The palace is a sacred place for divine prayers.
“And in his contributions like he has always done in support of his son, who is the Governor of the state, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Emir deemed it fit to organise this special prayer for both President and the Governor, delighted that the President and his son, the Governor, are working together as partners for the progress of Nigeria.
“Our own Governor, in the last six years, has established a track record of being a role model for other political leaders in terms of respect for traditional institutions in Nigeria. So, as the son of the Emir, that has been his track record.
“He has made the Emir proud by his unprecedented achievements, acknowledged by all. It is not the first time the Emir has done it. He is doing it severally to support the Governor as a son for the success of the administration.
“As he moves to the last phase of his second term of office, the Emir has deemed it fit to organise this special prayer to support his son and to include the President. That has been the focus of the prayer.
“The Governor is grateful to the Emir, Council of Ulama led by Chief Imam of Ilorin for supporting his administration and that of Mr President in acknowledgement of the achievements for the country.
“Don’t forget, in terms of security, all the critical stakeholders on security of the nation have identified Kwara State, under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. The Inspector General of Police has spoken to that, so also the Chief of Army Staff and the consensus of the visiting set from the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos is that Kwara State remains the most secured state in Nigeria.
“On behalf of the Governor, we are grateful to the Emir, Council of Ulama and the people of Kwara for their solid support to Governor AbdulRazaq.”