Emmanuel Kehinde, ilorin
An Ilorin-born business mogul and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Moshood Mustapha (MM) has donated the sum of N10 million for Durbar and for other developmental activities of the Ilorin Emirate.
The Durbar which is aimed at promoting the age-long royal culture of the Ilorin Emirate is scheduled to hold on the second day of Eid-el Kabir at the palace forecourt, Ilorin.
Speaking during the cash presentation, MM said, “Durbar is something that we see as our culture and we are proud of it and ready to contribute our quota to keep it growing and sustainable.
“It’s not just donating money but coming around to be associated with the committee and appreciate them for promoting our culture.
Mustapha explained that the N10 million will be shared in the following order: N5 million for the Ilorin Durbar Committee, N2 million for the maintenance of the Ilorin Emirate Central Mosque, N1 million for the Emirate Football team for Durbar, N1 million for the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association and N1 million for Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union.
He noted that the gesture was not about politics “We should take ourselves as brother and sister and not let politics divide us”
He, however urged other stakeholders in the state to support in uplifting the Emirate and Kwara.
In his remark, the Chairman of the Ilorin Emirate Durbar committee, Engr Sulyman Yahaya Alapansapa appreciated MM for the kind gesture.
He said, “We see your coming as encouragement because you identified fully with the program of Emir and it is a wake-up call to other wealthy sons and daughters of the emirate to follow MM’s path.”
He noted that the Ilorin Emirate Durbar was initiated by the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, to foster unity and progress of the Ilorin Emirate.
Engr Alapansapa added, “We are planning to expand our scope this year and make it more elaborate.
“We are also talking with UNESCO to be around as part of an effort to incorporate Durbar into their calendar.”
For his part, the representative of the Emir of Ilorin, the Seriki Gobir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ahmad Yusuf Gobir thanked MM for reaching out to the Durbar Committee and supporting other developmental activities of the Emirate.
He said, “Your gesture is simply a way of cementing the reputation you already have in the emirate, and we assure you that the money will be judiciously used. We promise one of the best Durbar in the history of Ilorin Emirate”.
We could recall that Moshood Mustapha, (MM) the son of the Wali of Ilorin has also completed the total renovation of the Emir’s Palace.
Those present during the cash presentation includes the Dan masami of Ilorin, Engr Sulyman Yahya Alapansanpa; the president of IEDPU, Alhaji Usman Ottah; the Seriki Gobir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ahmad Yusuf Gobir; Retired AIG, Adisa Bolanta.
Others are the Chairman, Durbar Media Committee, Alhaji Tunde Ori-Okoh; Professor (Dr.) Aishat Gobir; Professor Ibrahim Jawondo; and APC House of Reps candidate, Hon. Yinka Aluko, amongst other eminent sons and daughters of Ilorin emirate.
Ends