By Abubakar Imam
Though yours sincerely is thousands of kilometres away from Ilorin as he is getting set for, Insha Allahu, a rewarding participation in this year’s Hajj exercise, he is still concerned about the success of all events that would be held at home as part of activities marking the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir festival.
The events are so many. But two uniquely stand out. They are the Ilorin Emirate Durbar festival and the Joint Meeting between the Board of Trustees and Stakeholders of Ilorin Central Juma’at Mosque. They are scheduled for the second and third day of Ileya festival, respectively.
Yours sincerely is concerned about the two because he was always involved in preparations towards their staging at least in the last four years. He is also concerned because the two are among some of the important annual events that are connected to the uniqueness and greatness of his beloved Ilorin Emirate. More importantly because he is an Ilorin man who is proud of the city and its heritage.
The events are two of the public ceremonies that indigenes and friends of Ilorin Emirate always looked forward to. They are also used by Ilorin Emirate patriots to show their love for their community. Ilorin patriots also used the two events to renew friendships among one another.
The organisation of the two events are ably led by two distinguished statesmen who are also honourary title-holders of the frontier Emirate. The titles of the two gentlemen incidentally sound similar.
The Durbar Committee is chaired by the tireless Danmasani of Ilorin and former Managing Director of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Engr. Sulaiman Ayinde Yahaya Alapansanpa, FNSE; while that of the Ilorin Central Juma’at Mosque is being spearheaded by the 85 years old Danmadami of Ilorin and former Secretary to the Government of Kwara State, Alhaji Shehu AbdulGafar, OON,
The two events not only deserve our physical presence but also other forms of support for their significance to be achieved. We need not to insist on being personally invited to be at each of the events. We should make their attendance a priority.
We need to partake in each of the events not just for the love of our people but also for the love of oneself. This position is based on one of the popular sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad who is widely quoted to have said that “patriotism is an element of Islamic faith”. And so, divine rewards await us.
Apart from finding time to attend, we should also donate from our widow’s mites towards the success of the events. I don’t think any amount would be seen as being too small or too huge. We should donate based on our capacities. We should also pray towards their success and be involved in mobilising support and creating awareness for them among our compatriots and friends.
May the two and other events turn out to be more successful beyond our expectations. May Allah also preserve our lives to witness many more peaceful and rewarding years in sound health, profound happiness and remarkable prosperity. Amin.
Imam is Chief Scribe, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union.
Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
