Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has noted that there is a long history of relationship between Ilorin and Kano emirates, just as he declared that Kwara State has been on cordial terms with Kano State.
The governor mentioned that the relationship traverses both tradition and commerce, while affirming his efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two states for mutual benefits.
AbdulRazaq made this statement in Ilorin when the newly installed Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero paid him a courtesy visit in Government House.
A statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor quoted AbdulRazaq as saying, “There is long history between Ilorin and Kano and Kwara and Kano States. The history traverses from tradition to commerce. That history is what we want to transform by your visit. I truly appreciate the visit of the Governor of Kano Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje who came to pay us a condolence visit after the loss of my father. He truly appreciated the history.
“We wish to establish some collaborations in the areas of business, education, administration and agriculture between Kano and Kwara States. We have discussed issues of agriculture, especially fertiliser and irrigation. We can learn from Kano. Since the time of Audu Bako, Kano State has led in irrigation and a lot of work has been done in that regard. We are learning from that experience and we are improving on what we are doing in Kwara State.
“This visit is also about culture. The cultures of Ilorin emirate and that of Kano are so interwoven. You can go back to the history of our emirate and Kano emirate through to Sheikh Uthman Dan Fodio. All these are available for those who want to learn about it. This visit will further strengthen our bond. His Royal Highness. We really appreciate Your Royal Highness for visiting us in Kwara.”
Governor AbdulRazaq also expressed his high regard for the traditional institution, noting: “As far as I am concerned, despite the three tiers of government, I believe traditional institution is the fourth tier of government. That is possibly why the military made the funding of the institution to come directly from local government.”
In his remarks, the visiting monarch, Ado Bayero, whose maternal roots stem from Ilorin, said he had come to the ancient town to receive blessings.
He also commiserated with the Governor over the loss of his father AGF AbdulRazaq SAN, praying Allah to repose the soul of the sage.
Meanwhile, the courtesy visit was witnessed by Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe (Kwara Central); Senator Umar Sadiq (Kwara North; Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly Rt Honourable Yakubu Danladi Salihu; Secretary to the Government of Kwara State Prof Mamman Saba Jubril; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Aliyu Mohammed Saifudeen; Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties Yinka Aluko; and Kwara APC Chairman Bashir Bolarinwa.
On the other hand, the Kano monarch was accompanied on the courtesy visit by crème de la crème of the Kano Emirate Council and top lieutenants of the Emir of Ilorin such as Balogun Gambari Alhaji Aliyu Adebayo and Dan Masanin Ilorin Engineer Suleiman Yahya Alapansapa, among other dignitaries.
