By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, Shaykh Dr. Abdulkadir Sholagberu, has paid glowing tributes to the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, on the occasion of his 85th birthday, describing the monarch as an unparalleled statesman and a strong promoter of unity and progress.

In a congratulatory message to the Emir, Shaykh Sholagberu, who is also the first Malami Ubandoma of Ilorin, noted that the Emir has provided qualitative leadership to the people of Ilorin Emirate before and since his historic enthronement as the 11th Emir of Ilorin.

The renowned cleric, who is also a Member of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Doha, Kuwait, said the reign of the Emir has witnessed so many significant positive transformations, including the remodeling of the Ilorin Central Jumaat Mosque and face-lifting of the Ilorin Eid Praying Ground, among several others.

Shaykh Sholagberu thanked the Emir for being an inspirational leader who always encourages his subjects and others to pursue greatness, adding that the Emir has done so much good, and in so many fascinating ways, that are too numerous to be emulated.

Shaykh Sholagberu also thanked the Executive Governor of Kwara State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for identifying with the Emir’s transformational roles, noting that the “tenure of the Sarduana of Ilorin as the Number One citizen of Kwara State would continued to be seen as an important milestone in the reign of the Emir”.

The renowned cleric, who is also the National President of Shehu Alimi Foundation for Peace and Development, prayed to Allah to grant the monarch long life and sound health as well as happiness to enable him serve Allah for a longer time.