Date: 2020-01-26

The recent turbaning of the new head of Agaka community in Ilorin, Kwara State once again brings to fore the rich culture of the people of Ilorin Emirate. ABDULLAHI OLESIN reports.

The rich culture of the people of Ilorin Emirate in Kwara State was again at display penultimate Friday when the new Daudu Agaka( traditional ruler of Agaka community), Alh Hanafi Kawu was installed.

The Daudus who are descendants of Sheik Alimi, the progenitor of the Emir of Ilorin are the chiefs appointed by the Emir to oversee districts, communities and quarters in the five local government areas that made up Ilorin Emirate.

The Daudus or district heads scattered across Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Moro and Asa local government areas, are highly revered by their subjects. They help the Emir administer their various communities and feed him back on issues affecting the communities.

The turbaning of the Daudus always take a whole week with various activities, including homage paying, cultural display by the women who are descendants of Sheikh Alimi and offering of special prayers and lectures. The grand finale which is the turbaning proper always hold on a Friday after the Juma'at service.

The event usually holds at the palace of the new Daudu. All the other Daudus will gather at the palace of the new comer as a mark of solidarity. The new district head and his siblings, both men and women will adore the best traditional attires and acknowledge greetings from friends and well wishers who gather to grace the ocassion.

Immediately after the turbaning ceremony, the new Daudu and his colleagues, relations and well wishers will proceed to the palace of the Emir of Ilorin to pay him homage.

The Emir will in turn pray for the new Daudu and charge him on his responsibilities to both the palace and the community he had been appointed to govern.

The installation of the seventh Daudu of Agaka, Alh Hanafi Omotosho Kawu was therefore a sight to behold.

The new Daudu Agaka is from the Shitta Alimi Oroganloye family ruling house.

The Agaka ancestral home of the new Daudu, where the event took place, was a beehive of activities.

The coronation ceremony was punctuated by Qu'ranic recitations, sermon, lecture and massive treat for the people in attendant.

The installation rites of the seventh Daudu Agaka, Ilorin was held on a Friday evening in conformity with the established traditions and in recognition of his kingship to the Ilorin monarchy.

A lot of pushing and shoving coupled with heavy drumming heralded the about-to-be-crowned Daudu entry into the coronation arena.

Indeed, the scene was a reminiscence of Ilorin culture of communal co-habitation.

Eminent personalities from within and outside Ilorin converged on the Agaka quarters to savour one of the most exhilarating events of the brand new year 2020.

At the ceremony were a (former) President of Ilorin Third Estate, Mallam Ahmed Bolaji Nagode; Proprietor, Darul Kitab Wa Sunnah, Sheikh Abdulkadir Oba Solagberu; 2019 governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Ajia; Alhaji Suleiman Obalola, a younger brother to the new Daudu Agaka,

Bolakale Kawu; Daudus. Others include sons and daughters of Agaka community.

Being a descendant of Shitta Alimi, the second Emir of Ilorin, it is an established tradition that the Daudu Agaka is turbaned in his ancestral home after which he would proceed to the palace of the Emir of Ilorin for obeisance and royal blessing.

Appearing in an immaculately white 'babaringa' with flowing gown (Alkinba) to match, the new Kawu Agaka was turbaned in the presence of other Daudus, royal chiefs and a high-powered delegation from the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

Some relatives, family members, friends and colleagues of the newly turbaned Daudu also appeared in white costumes of lace materials.

The new Daudu of Agaka, born on July 19th, 1961 was appointed to therespected stool of illustrious forebearers on July 6th, 2019 by the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Emirs and Obas, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari in recognition of his worthwhile leadership qualities.

He succeeded his late father who was the immediate and sixth Daudu of Agaka, Ilorin and first Dan Iya of Ilorin, Late Alhaji Ibrahim Kawu Agaka who died last year.

Shortly after the turbaning, Daudu Agaka exchanged pleasantries and banters with other Daudus and members of the royal family from the Ilorin Emirate.

Describing his appointment as divine will, the new Daudu expressed gratitude to the Emir of Ilorin for finding him worthy of the exalted royal position.

In a brief remark, the new Daudu Agaka, thanked the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari for giving him the opportunity to serve his people.

Alhaji Kawu Agaka who expressed delight on his emergence as the 7th Daudu Agaka also promised to serve the community and Ilorin Emirate with sincerity of purpose.

Earlier, in his lecture, an Ilorin based Islamic Scholar,Ustaz Lukman Muktar Isalekoto, urged holders of public offices to be conscious of Almighty Allah in their daily undertakings.

The cleric said the unbearable situations in the society were getting precarious because of lack of fear of Allah, saying that any nation that prioritizes God fearing would certainly be on the righteous path.

Ustaz Isalekoto expressed concern over the plight of the less privileged and noted that it was the responsibility of those blessed with resources to restore smiles on their faces.

Admonishing members of the royal family to be disciplined and lead by example, the Islamic scholar challenged them not to allow themselves to be influenced badly through peer groups.

He also cautioned against needless division in the royal family, saying that those born of royal blood must see themselves as an indivisible entity and shun desperation.

Ustaz Isalekoto, who described the new Daudu Agaka as a man of humility and discipline, prayed for his successful reign in office.

He urged the princes to strive to take care of the children and always assist the orphans around them. He urged both young and old to dedicate their lives to the worship of Allah.

He charged the new Daudu to make principles of contentment, protection of integrity and sincerity a watchword in his service to humanity.

Ustaz Isale-Koto who explained that the trio principles are sure way of greater success in life also prayed God to guide the new Daudu Agaka in the management of his people.

Bolakale Kawu, an engineer described the new Daudu Agaka as a complete gentleman who had been contributing positively towards the development of Agaka community and Ilorin Emirate as a whole.

While appreciating the Emir of Ilorin, for chosen Alhaji Omotosho Kawu Agaka as the new Daudu Agaka, Engineer Bolakale Kawu expressed optimism that the reign of the newly turbaned Daudu Agaka would witness series of developmental activities in the entire Emirate.

Dignitaries urged the new Daudu of Agaka, Ilorin to use the position to reunite the family, ensure the growth and development of his people and domains, be focused and dedicated to the general well-being of his people.

At the palace, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs and Obas, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, used the occasion of the new Daudu's visit to cal for prayers for divine intervention over insecurity challenges in some parts of the country, restating that Ilorin, as a community, would sustain th prayers.

The monarch said the people of the Ilorin Emirate have always sought divine help against external invasion. He attributed the peaceful co-existence in Ilorin to the frequent supplications of his subjects for divine intervention.

The first class traditional ruler maintained that the relative peace in the community, if sustained, could attract investment and in turn, enhance growth and development of the people.

He urged the Daudu Agaka to be conscious of prayers in the discharge of his duties.

He also offered prayer for quality health, wisdom and long life for the new Daudu.