News report from Voice of Nigeria indicates that the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his exemplary leadership and dedication to development and good governance in Kwara State.

The Emir made these remarks during a thank you visit led by Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq, the Mutawali of Ilorin, along with a large crowd of family members, associates, members of the State Executive Council, and well-wishers. The visit was in celebration of the conferral of the title Sardauna of Ilorin on Governor AbdulRazaq.

Alhaji Sulu-Gambari also lauded the governor and Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq, who are both sons of the late AGF AbdulRazaq (SAN), the first Mutawali of Ilorin.

The Emir said that the two brothers earned the titles bestowed on them by the palace, emphasising that: “They merited the titles. We don't give award to people who do not merit it. I thank Allah for their lives.”

Describing Governor AbdulRazaq as a blessing to Ilorin Emirate, the Emir said his appointment as the chairman of the Nigeria's Governors Forum (NGF) is a show of Allah' s love for Ilorin Emirate and testament to answered prayers.

“Governor AbdulRazaq earned his appointment as NGF chairman because it takes a knowledgeable person to lead such a group of knowledgeable personalities.

“The Almighty Allah will answer Governor AbdulRazaq's prayers and further elevate him. He's doing well and has been bringing fortunes to the state and Ilorin,” Sulu-Gambari declared.

The Emir also poured encomiums on Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq, recalling that “Dr. Alimi and I started our relationship about 50 years ago. And during this period, I'm yet to see his shortcomings.”

Betrayal

The Emir advised political office holders in the state against betraying the state governor, emphasizing that, “anyone that betrays Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, betrays Ilorin.” He warned political office holders of the dire consequences of the act of betrayal.

Sulu-Gambari recalled that his own father, the 9th Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulukarnaini Gambari, also gave a similar warning to the commissioners serving under the late General AbdulKareem Adisa in Oyo State when they accompanied Adisa to the palace in 1992.

Earlier, Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq, pledged allegiance to the Emir, assuring him that he and Governor AbdulRazaq will justify the confidence reposed in them.

He added that “we shall deliver excellently on the task that Your Royal Highness assigned us through the titles of Mutawali and Sardauna bestowed on us.”

Alimi who spoke through Dr Yusuf Lawal, said: “We come with our family members, friends and well-wishers to come and thank the Emir. It's rare for a family to have two distinct titles- Mutawali and Sardauna of Ilorin at the same time.

“Our family members and friends are happy that their sons got the titles based on their pedigree and conduct and consideration for the future of Ilorin”

Prominent dignitaries that accompanied the Mutawali to the palace included the Magajin Geri of Ilorin, majority leader, Kwara State House of Assembly, Barr. AbdulKadir Magaji, the secretary to the state government, Prof. Mamman Saaba, the Senior Adviser/Counselor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu and commissioners in the State Government .

Others are the Non- Executive Director of NNPCL, Dr Ghali Alaaya, former vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali, special adviser on Media, Alhaji Bashiru Adigun, Special Adviser, Special Duties, Alhaji AbdulRasaq Jiddah, Senior Special Assistant on Religion (Islam), Alhaji Ibrahim Danmaigoro, KWASSIP General Manager, Dr AbdulWasiu Tejidini, Adviser on party affairs, Alhaji Mashood Alaka and Regional Editor of Leadership newspapers, Alhaji Abdullahi Olesin.