The Ilorin Women's Association (IWA) has pledged increased global participation of female indigenes in preparations and staging for the upcoming Ilorin Emirate Grand Durbar.

This commitment was announced by Prof. Aishatu Ahmed Gobir, IWA's Coordinator General, during a courtesy visit to Engr. Sulaiman Yahaya Alapansanpa, FNSE, Chairman of the Ilorin Emirate Committee, at the Committee Office in the Emir's Palace in Ilorin last Thursday.

Prof. Gobir, represented by Hajiya Maryam Arinola Alege, Coordinator of IWA's Culture and Welfare Committee, stated that the association has secured all necessary materials to contribute vibrantly to this year's festival. She assured that IWA members will actively participate in any roles assigned by the committee to ensure the Durbar becomes the most visually stunning in history.

Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Engr Alapansanpa welcomed the readiness of the female body to support the Ilorin Emirate Durbar festival, which he said was resuscitated by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji(Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, seven years ago.

Engr Alapansanpa, who is also the Danmasani of Ilorin, commended the women for forming an umbrella body, saying that the Association is long overdue.

The Chairman explained that the emergence of the women group is another achievement of the Emir of Ilorin as he said that the royal father has always believed that formation of such bodies would enhance the unity and progress of Ilorin Emirate.

Engr. Alapansanpa, therefore, called on similar groups across the Emirate to stand up to be counted in community development initiatives like IWA.