AbdulRazaq’s family thanks Emir over Sardauna title

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The family of Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, alongside government officials and All Progressives Congress chieftains, has paid a thank-you visit to the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, over the governor’s recent turbaning as the Sardauna of Ilorin.

The delegation, which visited the emir’s palace on Tuesday, was led by the Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq, the governor’s elder brother. Other members included the governor’s elder sister, Alangua Adewole; Senator Khairat AbdulRazaq Gwadabe; former Kwara First Lady Hajia Aisha Mohammed Lawal; Dr. Funsho AbdulRazaq; members of the Kwara State House of Assembly led by the House Leader, Oba Magaji; and the governor’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Abdulrazaq Jiddah.

Speaking at the palace, the Emir expressed delight over the large turnout and said the titles conferred on the two AbdulRazaq brothers reflected his appreciation for the contributions of their late father, AGF AbdulRazaq, to his life.

The monarch said the titles of Mutawali and Sardauna conferred on Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq and Governor AbdulRazaq respectively were also in recognition of their individual goodwill and the longstanding relationship between the AbdulRazaq family and the Ilorin Emirate.

Sulu-Gambari described the governor’s late father, who was a former attorney-general of the federation and senior advocate of Nigeria, as one of his two father figures. He also praised the governor’s leadership and prayed for wisdom and strength for him to succeed in office and as chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.

Responding, Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq said the family was overwhelmed by the honour bestowed on the governor and thanked the Emir for the recognition. He assured the monarch that the governor and the family would not shirk the responsibility of meeting the expectations attached to the title.

Also, Hajia Aisha Lawal expressed appreciation to the Emir, saying the governor deserved the title because of his contributions to the development of the Ilorin Emirate and beyond.

The Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor and Chairman of the Central Planning and Coordination Committee for the turbaning ceremony, Alhaji Saadu Salau, also commended the Emir for recognising the governor, describing AbdulRazaq as a role model and saying the monarch was proud of the administration’s achievements.