Billionaire businesswoman, Hajia Bola Shagaya has been appointed as the Sarauniya of Ilorin Emirate.
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Mai-Martaba Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR announced her appointment.
He made the announcement at the 57th Annual National Conference of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) held on Sunday, Decembr 25th, 2022.
Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in his speech said:
“I especially commend the Emir and the leadership of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union for keeping the flag flying every year. We thank you for keeping the legacy of Sheikh Alimi evergreen. Distinguished elders, brothers, and sisters, our administration remains committed to inclusive growth. Our goal is to make Ilorin one of the most celebrated capital cities in Nigeria and beyond. This is what informs the focus of our projects.”
“We need to commend the focus of the IEDPU. We used to come annually for the launch of the calendar. But this year has changed, and we are proud of that. The main focus for this year is the ICT centre. I dare say that we must support the IEDPU to make sure that by this time next year, the ICT project is completed.”
“I was in Kwara South yesterday to launch a hospital project by Offa Metropolitan Club. Let’s also make Ilorin greater; we should take the lead. By this time next year, IEDPU should be launching another project. It is a challenge for all of us. We are all members of the IEDPU, and we should support them to achieve the set goals.”
“By now, we should be pointing to numerous community-sponsored projects in Ilorin. I am glad this has started already. On our part, we are trying to change the face of Ilorin. You can see interlocking pavements taking place all over the town under our urban renewal programme. We are dualising the Yebumot/Oloje road; we are fixing Adeta/Pakata road; and Pakata/Oja-Oba road project; Old and New Yidi road. We will keep doing our best to make sure we transform Ilorin.”
“In terms of infrastructure, we are renovating different parts of the state stadium; and we are building a new Squash Court. The Ilorin International Conference Centre will be the best of its kind in northern Nigeria outside Abuja. In terms of industrialisation and employment, we have just awarded a contract for industrial parks in Eiyenkorin. There will be another pack in Malete. And you know, the state is building its own Innovation Hub, which will run along with IEDPU’s Innovation Hub in order to empower our youths to achieve greater heights.”
“Let us commend the Chief of Staff to the President Prof Ibrahim Gambari. He hardly has time to come to Ilorin, but he has been doing a yeoman’s job in Abuja. One of the projects, which has not been announced properly, is the protocol we signed, which work will begin soon. It is a brand new diagnostic centre worth $7 million, which will be located in Ilorin here. You have seen that during Maimartaba’s reign, God is doing Ilorin favours. All Ilorin indigenes are progressing dutifully and rightfully.”
However, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari on his part said:
“i appeal to the descendants of the Emirate to remain peaceful and united and be committed to the course of growth and progress of the Emirate.”
“I congratulates the leadership of IEDPU and the entire people of the Emirate for devoting their time and resources for the overall development of the city.”
“I hail Governor AbdulRazaq for taking a lead in the projects that continue to change the face of the ancient city.”