The National President of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik, has rejoiced with the Talba of Ilorin, Prof. Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem, OFR, NOPM, on the occasion of his 79h birthday.

Prof. AbdulRaheem ,who, was born on October 22, 1947, marks his birthday today.

In a statement signed by the Union's Spokesman , Mallam Suleiman Shuaib Dagbo and made available to Just Event Online TV, Alhaji Abdulmalik said that the Union is happy that another of its longstanding members and leaders has lived to witness his 79th birthday in sound health.

The President recalled the numerous contributions of Prof. AbdulRaheem as a student, academic, administrator and politician as well as being a community leader of several decades, saying that the traditional title holder is an illustrious and industrious son of Ilorin whose place in history is secured.

Alhaji Abdulmalik thanked Prof. AbdulRaheem for making himself and his services available to the community and the nation at large at various times such as serving as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Chairman of the Federal Character Commission and currently as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Councils of three universities simultaneously.

He recalled that Prof. AbdulRaheem had also served as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin; Sole Administrator of the Kwara State College of Education,Oro and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, as well as the Chairman of the Visitation Panel to the Kaduna Polytechnic,Kaduna, among several other positions that have to do with nation-building.

The President, who described himself as one of the several students of the celebrant, said that it was in the realisation of his intimidating cumulative contributions that encouraged the Union to entrust Prof. AbdulRaheem with the Chairmanship of its 59th national conference two years ago. He said further that it was in the vein that the retired academic was also inducted into the "Ilorin Emirate Hall of Fame" last year in appreciation of his services to the community and humanity at large.

While urging younger indigenes of Ilorin Emirate to emulate the exemplary patriotism of the former Vice Chancellor, Alhaji AbdulMalik wished Prof. AbdulRaheem a very happy birthday and more years of sound health and happiness.