By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Arrangements have reached an advanced stage for the celebration of this year’s Ilorin Emirate Durbar which is marked every second day of Eid -el -Kabir.
The Chairman of the Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee, Engineer Yahaya Alapansapa, who disclosed this during a courtesy call on the Chief Executive Officer of Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Industries, Ilorin, Dr Samuel Akinlaja, said the programme would hold at the forecourt of the Palace of Emir of Ilorin.
Engineer Alapansapa said the durbar festival for this year would be more elaborate as various multi national agencies including National Theatre, National Tourism Development Commission, National Orientation Agency and UNESCO and top personalities would grace the event, while the culture, values and traditions of the community would be exhibited.
According to him, other side attractions such as procession and horse race, Quranic competition, exhibition of cultural activates , football competition and cultural dance would be part of the epoch making event.
He commended the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his support to the festival, more so that the government has institutionalised durbar, while also lauding the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari for his strong backing for the committee.
The Chairman disclosed that adequate security arrangements, health facilities and conducive sitting environment have also been put in place for the occasion.
Engineer Alapansapa commended the Chief Executive Officer of Peace Standard Pharmaceutical, Dr Samuel Akinlaja for his efforts to establish industries in Ilorin the state capital and for providing employment opportunities for the people of the state.
In his response, Dr Akinlaja assured the durbar committee of his support to the success of the event.
According to him , the relative peace and accommodating nature of the people of Ilorin Emirate and the entire state had made his business to continue to flourish in the past forty years.
Dr Akinlaja promised that as part of his social responsibility, he would continue to play his role in improving the economy of the state.
The Committee similarly paid a visit to the Chief Executive Officer of Tuyil Pharmaceutical Industries , Senior Special Apostle Oluwole Awotuyi where he also promised to continue to support durbar on yearly basis.
Among those that were on the entourage of the committee Chairman are the former Kwara State Grand Kadi Sharia Court of Appeal, Ilorin, Justice Idris Haroun, Serikin Gobir, Alhaji Muhammed Ahmad Gobir, Retired AIG Adisa Bolanta, Professor Ibrahim Jawondo, the National Publicity Secretary of IEDPU, Mallam Nurudeen Ibrahim, the Chairman Sub- Publicity Committee, Alhaji Tunde Akanbi and Mallam Mohammed Jamiu.