As reported by Voice of Nigeria, Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has congratulated the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF), Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, on his recent conferment as the new Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate.

In a statement personally signed by him, Senator Mustapha, who holds the title of Turaki of Ilorin Emirate, expressed his joy at the honour bestowed upon Governor Abdulrazaq by the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

Senator Mustapha noted that the conferment of the Sardauna title reflects Governor Abdulrazaq's significant contributions to the development of the Ilorin Emirate and his exemplary leadership qualities.

He also commended the Emir of Ilorin for selecting Governor Abdulrazaq for this prestigious traditional title and wished the new Sardauna continued wisdom, strength, and success in his new role.

Senator Mustapha prayed that the Governor's new title as Sardauna of Ilorin would bring greater unity, prosperity, and progress to the entire Emirate.

'Well deserved'

In a similar message, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu disclosed that Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is most deserving of the prestigious title of the Sardauna Ngeri bestowed on him by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

Danladi-Salihu, while reacting to the news of the conferment, described Gov. AbdulRazaq as a replica of the late Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who is reputed for his visionary leadership in Nigeria.

�As the news broke of the conferment of the title of Sardauna Ngeri on our ebullient and magnificent Governor, we remembered the late Sardauna of Sokoto with whom Mallam AbdulRazaq has a striking resemblance to especially when one looks at the many giant strides of his administration in the state in the last five years�, the Speaker said.

�Gov AbdulRazaq's visionary leadership, modernization efforts, commitment to education and healthcare, and respect for traditional institutions, among others, stand him out as an illustrious son of the soil. Hence the Emir's choice is better described as putting a round peg in a round hole.�

He expressed the hope that the new role will bring greater opportunities for him to continue to serve and make positive impacts on the community and the entire state. He prayed God to give him the wisdom, integrity, and compassion and continue to guide him as he assumes the esteemed position.

GAMA hails Governor AbdulRazaq on new title

Similarly, the Gamji Members Association (GAMA) has also felicitated with the Kwara State governor and chairman of Nigeria's Governors Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on what it described as a well-deserved appointment as the Sardauna of Ilorin by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

The association described the Sardauna title as befitting a personality like Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

GAMA, an association devoted to the promotion of the ideals of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, noted that there is a striking semblance in the leadership qualities of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello and Governor AbdulRazaq.

In a statement signed by its president general, Alhaji Tunde Akanbi, and the publicity secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Olesin, GAMA hailed the Emir's thoughtfulness in appointing the governor as the second Sardauna of Ilorin.

�We have no doubt in our minds that the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari finds in Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq those sterling leadership qualities of the late Sardauna of Sokoto before making this appointment. We thank our royal father for rewarding merit and excellence.

�Governor AbdulRazaq has proven to be a worthy ambassador of Ilorin Emirate in all his activities as Kwara State governor and NGF chairman.

�The appointment couldn't have come at a better time than now as the efforts of the governor at making Ilorin a model city and cynosure of all eyes are clear on the ground even for the blind to see. It has never been so good for our dear community in the area of infrastructural development,� GAMA noted.

The association expressed confidence that the latest additional feather to the cap of the governor will spur him to do more, not only for Ilorin, the state capital, but Kwara and humanity in general.

They prayed to Allah to grant the governor a long reign as the second Sarduana of the Ilorin Emirate.