The Emir of Ilorin, His Eminence, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari penultimate Friday turbaned Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq as new Mutawali of Ilorin Emirate.
He has stepped into his late father’s shoes. The late Alhaji AGF Abdulrazaq, who was the first lawyer and Senior Advocate in the defunct Northern Region was until his death on 25 July 2020, the Mutawali of Ilorin.
Like his father, Alimi is a Barrister at law and he holds a PhD in Law.
The royal turbaning was attended by prominent Nigerians including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly , Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu; members of the National and State Assembly; Kwara State cabinet members; top members of the bench and the bar and title holders from within and outside of the emirate also graced the event.
Others were first class traditional rulers from within and outside of Kwara State including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; members of the business and academic communities.
Speaking at the event, Osinbajo congratulated Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq on the conferment of the title of Mutawali of Ilorin on him.
Osinbajo, who was Alimi’s mate at the law school said he brings many sterling qualities to the royal title.
‘Accomplishments in law, education and participation in banking industry are testaments to the qualities of Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq. He follows in succession to his late father Alh. AGF AbdulRazaq (SAN) as the first Mutawali of Ilorin.
We can all attest to the fact that the new Mutawali of Ilorin brings many qualities to the title. The first- class mind, who has navigated the legal profession and the complex world of business and politics at the highest level possible strictly on the merit of his own capacity and the weight of his contribution’, he said.
Osinbajo applauded the new Mutawali’s outstanding contribution to human rights protection in Africa, which he said set the framework for the establishment of Africa Court for Human and Peoples Rights.
“What stands him out for this role is his compassion and belief in upholding the human dignity at all levels. Some may not know that his PhD thesis on human right protection in Africa set the framework for the establishment of Africa Court for Human and Peoples Rights which was commissioned by the Organization for African Unity (now African Union)’, he added.
The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari said Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq and the AbdulRazaq family deserve the honour from Emirate for their sterling contributions to the ancient city, Kwara State and Nigeria as a whole.
“AbdulRazaq family deserves the honour received today from the people of Ilorin Emirate. May Allah bless the position. I believe the family will continue to contribute to the development of Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State and Nigeria in general’, the Ilorin monarch said.
Dr. Sulu-Gambari also commended the Vice President for his contribution to national development and for coming to honour the Emirate on the historic occasion.
“We know your contribution to the development of our dear country Nigeria. I know you love Ilorin and we acknowledge your support to our state’, the Emir said.
The new Mutawali is Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s elder brother.
