Date: 2015-12-28

...Honours Saraki, Idiagbon, 19 others.

The Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) yesterday backed President Muhammadu Buhari's war against corruption and impunity.

It said his victory at the March 28 election was because of his performance, doggedness, hard work, incorruptible track record and wish of God. The group decried the deplorable conditions of roads linking Kwara State to other states.

IEDPU's National President Alhaji Abdulhammed Adi, who spoke in Ilorin at its 50th anniversary and the launch of N500 million fund, said: "These roads have not only become a nightmare to motorists and commuters, they are death traps.

"We appeal to the Federal Government to direct the resumption of work on the roads, particularly the Ilorin-Ibadan Road, which was started in 2000." He urged the Federal Government to extend the dredging of River Niger from Lokoja to New Bussa in Niger State. IEDPU honoured the late icon of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki, the late Gen. Tunde Idiagbon and the late Abdulkareem Adisa.

It also honoured the ex-Kwara State Governor, the late Rear Admiral Mohammed Lawal. IEDPU inducted 16 dead and living heroes and heroines of Ilorin Emirate into its hall of fame.

An indigene of Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government and the proprietor of the first private university in Kwara State - AlHikmah University, Alhaji AbdulRahim Oladimeji, was inducted.

The award climaxed the week-long activities.

Others honoured posthumously included the ninth Emir of Ilorin, Zulukarnaini Mohammed Gambari, the first Mufti of Ilorin, Sheik Muhammad Kamamaldeen and the founder of Markaz School of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Agege, Lagos, Sheik Adam Abdullahi El-Ilori.

Also inducted were two daughters of the emirate, the erstwhile Environment Minister, Halimat Tayo Alao and former Education Commissioner, Hajia Halimat Yusuf.

Responding on behalf of the family of the late Saraki, the Senior Legislative Assistant to the Senate President, Alhaji Saka Onimago, said the award was the greatest honour to be bestowed on any indigene of the Ilorin Emirate.

He said it would motivate the family to contribute to the emirate's development. Alhaji Adi said the awardees were honoured, based on their contributions to the emirate’s progress and to encourage others.