The international organization tasked with global protection and restoration of culture, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has hailed the Grand Durbar held in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, North Central Nigeria on Sunday.
The Grand Durbar is annually held in the ancient city of Ilorin on the second day of Eid l Kabir which creates an avenue for the convergence of the natives of the city and showcasing of the culture of the people to the world.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, Ambassador Hajo Sani, who was the special guest of honor represented by Dr.Uche Ibeh described the cultural showcase as a beautiful display of culture.
She also noted that, her organization has recognized culture as the route towards achieving development and the solution to major global challenges, as she encouraged the global community to take advantage of the their cultural heritage.
“UNESCO is convinced that no development can be sustainable without a strong culture component. It is my wish to advocate that the solutions we seek to major global challenges lie in our taking full advantage of our cultural heritage.
“On this, I challenge our cultural sentinels to do all they can to promote cultural revival.
I thank you for inviting me and congratulations once again.” she said.
Similarly, the Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Chief Folorunsho Coker who was represented by Mrs Nana Yakubu also described the cultural showcase at worthy of emulation and must be sustained by the people.
The state Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in his message to the Emir and the people of the Emirate, congratulated them for the success of the event.
AbdulRazaq also described the occasion as “a signature cultural event of the people of Ilorin and the entire Northern Nigeria which reminds us of the valiance, chivalry and communal strength of our forebears”.
The chairman of the main organizing committee of the event who is also the Danmasani of Ilorin, Engineer Suleiman Yahaya Alapansanpa noted that since the inception of the Durbar in 2018, the emirate has experienced significant progress in the world of culture and general development.
Alapansapa appealed to the state government to offer more support to the annual festival is as to have greater and more colourful participations of tourists from far and beyond the shores of Nigeria.
He thanked all those who were present to grace the auspicious occasion.
One of the notable items of the occasion which catches the fancy of all those that were present was the grand horse riding, as riders gallop with their stallions across the asphalt of the palace square.
In the build up to the occasion, the Emir of Ilorin, and Chairman of Kwara State Council of Emir’s and Oba’s, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari along massive crowd in a rally procession across the city through some designated routes.
As the crowd who have gathered at the palace square await the return of the Emir to the palace, they were entertained by several local musicians and performers.
The occasion was graced by several dignitaries including the Kwara state Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Kwara Central APC senatorial candidate, Mallam Saliu Mustapha ,Ex Minister , Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi who is also the Senatorial Candidate of the PDP in Kwara Central, State SDP gubernatorial candidate, Akeem Lawal, traditional title holders, diplomats, legal luminaries and other prominent Nigerians.
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