Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, on Friday played host to dignitaries from far and near, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Borno state governor, Babagana Zulum, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Barrister Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), as the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, officially turbaned a legal giant, Prof. Yusuf Ali (SAN), as the Kuliyan Ngeri of the Ilorin Emirate.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who played host to Shettima and other eminent personalities that graced the ceremony at the Emir’s Palace, was represented by the speaker of the Kwara state House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.
Other dignitaries were the Ciroma of Ilorin, Alhaji Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari; Minister of Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola; former governor of Kano state, Mal. Ibrahim Shekarau; the Mutawalli of Ilorin, Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq; Vice-chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole; Dr. Wale Babalakin; Prof. Wale Sulaiman; Hajia Muinat Shagaya; Engr. Lanre Sagaya; Engr. Yahaya Alapansapa; ex-Kwara grand Khadi, Justice Idris Haroun; founder of Al-Hikmah University, Alhaji AbdulRaheem Oladimeji; a federal permanent secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore; Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah; Barrister Salman Adelodun (SAN); Barrister Kehinde Eleja (SAN); Mufti of Ilorin; Sheikh Faruq Onikijipa; Alhaji Liadi Tela; Prof. Olu Obafemi, and Air Vice Marshall Ayinla.
The emir, in his remarks, poured encomiums on Prof. Ali, describing him as a “worthy partner.”
“Your hard work has earned you the title. You fought for the Emirate. For almost 20 years, you spent your wealth, energy, time for the development of the Ilorin Emirate. This is why we recognise your effort. You stood with us when the going was tough. We will not forget you in the Emirate. We shall relate this message to our unborn children. From this moment, you have become the emir’s number one legal adviser.”
He urged Ali to continue his philanthropic gestures to the community and the people.
He prayed for the vice-president and the other dignitaries that graced the ceremony.
The elated Ali thanked the emir for the honour done to him, assuring him of his continued support for the Emirate.
Speaking at the turbaning, a former Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Ade Ipaye, described the legal icon as a “leading light” in the Nigerian Bar.
“I have never seen an occasion in honour of a colleague so well attended by fellow lawyers like this one,” he said.