Professor Katibi
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs,Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR has appointed the Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Professor Ibrahim Adeola Katibi as the first “Wakilin Likita” of Ilorin.
The appointment, along with those of three outstanding sons of the Emirate was made public by the Secretary to the Ilorin Emirate Council,Alhaji S. A. Lawal.
Professor Katibi,who is also the Chairman of the University of Ilorin Muslim community, is the second high-profile academic of the University of Ilorin who will be conferred with an honourary chieftaincy title by the Ilorin Emirate Council. The first was the sixth Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem (OFR), who was turbanned as the Talba of Ilorin in 2006.
With this appointment, Professor Katibi is the traditional Ambassador of all Medical Doctors in the Royal Palace of Ilorin Emirate, which comprise of Asa, Ilorin East, Ilorin South and Ilorin West Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
The distinguished scholar is also, by that title, to be saddled with the professional responsibility of advising the Emir on health matters.
Expressing his joy on the development, Professor Katibi said ” I thank God for the recognition, particularly from the leader of my community and custodian of our culture and tradition, Maimartaba Sarkin Musulumi of the Ilorin Emirate”.
” It shows that people appreciate the little we have been able to contribute to the community not only necessarily financially but also intellectually and sustaining the well-being of its people”.
Profeswor Katibi said that he felt most fulfilled that the honour came from his immediate locality because despite receiving several National and International awards and laurels previously, none of such recognitions excited him as much as the one from the Emir of Ilorin.
In his reaction, the Director of the Centre For Ilorin Studies,University of Ilorin, Dr AbdulGaniyu Jawondo, welcomed the conferment, which he regarded as not just a personal recognition of the professional excellence of Professor Katibi but also an honour to the University of Ilorin by its host community.
Dr Jawondo, who is also the Fimongboye of Oke-Aba land, added that the conferment of the title on Professor Katibi is an important milestone in the sustained efforts of the University of Ilorin at improving the good relation between gown and town and, most especially,with the Royals.
The formal turbaning ceremony of Professor Katibi comes up sometime after the forthcoming general elections.
