The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, has approved the request of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) to hold the opening ceremony of its 60th national conference next week at its National Secretariat, Geri Alimi, Ilorin.

This was contained in a statement signed by Mallam Nurudeen Ibrahim, National Publicity Secretary of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, and obtained by JUST EVENT ONLINE TV.

Alhaji Sulu-Gambari granted the approval on Monday, December 15, 2025, while receiving a delegation of the Union led by its National President, Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik. The delegation had paid him a condolence visit in his palace regarding the recent death of a former President of the Union, Ambassador Sheikh Usman AbdulAzeez, fwc.

The Emir agreed with the Union that, with the impending commencement of the building of a pavilion at the Forecourt of his palace, the arena usually used for the event would not be large enough to accommodate the increasing number of attendees from all walks of life.

Alhaji Sulu-Gambari thanked the Union for always making the Emirate proud through quality leadership, saying that staging the conference at Geri Alimi will afford attendees the opportunity to assess the progress recorded on the projects being executed at the secretariat.

The Monarch prayed to Allah to grant the Union a very successful and rewarding conference.

While commenting on the death of Ambassador AbdulAzeez, the Emir described the late diplomat as a patriotic son of the Emirate who did very well while in active service and thereafter. He, therefore, prayed to Allah to forgive his shortcomings.

Speaking earlier, the National President of the Union, Alhaji Abdulmalik said that the visit was made to condole the Emir on the loss of a distinguished subject and prominent community leader.

Alhaji Abdulmalik, thereafter, informed the Emir that this year's conference of the Union is the 60th and would be marked with several activities, particularly the induction of 25 heroes, including the Emir, into Ilorin Emirate Hall of Fame.

The President, who prayed for longer reign and sound health for the Emir, explained that the Union was conscious of the fact that, with the impending commencement of the pavilion project, the Forecourt of the palace might not be big enough to accommodate delegates and others who would attend the ceremony.

Alhaji Abdulmalik also explained that the holding of the opening ceremony at the Secretariat would enable the Governor of Kwara State and Sardauna of Ilorin, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, to commission the magnificent Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari Complex constructed by the Union.

The President was accompanied on the visit by several members of the Union including the Union's National Vice President, Alhaji AbdulRauf Babatunde Issa; the Imam of the Union's Juma'at Mosque, Imam Murtala Nurudeen Alaaya and Shaykh Ibrahim Erubu, among others.