Colourful Eid in Ilorin as Muslim Faithful Gather to Celebrate Eid-el-Adha *** Saraki Calls for Unity, Sacrifice 

By Omowumi Omotosho

photos by Oladimeji Ajibade

The ancient city of Ilorin was awash with colour, unity, and spiritual fervour on Friday as thousands of Muslim faithful gathered at the Ilorin Eid Ground in the Irewolode area to celebrate the Eid-el-Adha festival.

Dressed in vibrant attires, worshippers, young and old, started trooping into the expansive prayer ground as early as 7:00 a.m., radiating joy and thanksgiving on one of Islam’s holiest days. The atmosphere was serene and peaceful, reflecting the essence of the occasion.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were prominent sons of Ilorin and key figures in Nigeria’s political, legal, and religious circles. These included former President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; former PDP National Secretary, Alhaji Kawu Baraje; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice  Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore; the Grand Khadi of Kwara state Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Abdulateef Kamaldeen, former Grand Khadi of Kwara state Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Idris Haroon, former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Professor Ali Ahmad.

Others present were former Kwara state commissioner for health, Alhaji Suleiman Alege, former Chief of Staff to the governor, Alhaji Ladi Hassan, Alhaji Ahmed Dembo, PDP Ilorin West Chairmanship candidate, Musbau Esinrogunjo,the President of Kursi Investments, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki, non executive director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited ( NNPCL), Dr Mohammed Ghali Alaaya, the pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council for the Kwara State University of Education, (KWSUED),Professor Shuiab Oba, Alhaji Ishola Balogun, and Alhaji Isiaka Gold, among many others.

Traditional title holders of the Ilorin Emirate were also in attendance, including the Ciroma of Ilorin, Alhaji Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari; Balogun Gambari, Alhaji Aliu Gambari; Grand Mufty of Ilorin, Sheikh Faruq Onikijipa; 1st Makama of Ilorin, Sheikh Ibrahim Oniye; Balogun Aafin, Alhaji Nuru Yusuf; and Mogaji Aare of Ilorin, Alhaji Aremu Subaru, among many others.

The prayer event was anchored by Sheikh Yusuf Murtala Pakata and led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Al-Bashir Muhammad, with the assistance of prominent Islamic scholars including Imam Imale, Sheikh Ahmeed Abdullah, and Ajanasi Agba of Ilorin, Sheikh Mujitaba Bature.

The Chief Imam of Ilorin led the two Rakat prayer shortly after the arrival of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari at approximately 10:30 a.m.

At exactly 10:43 a.m., the Chief Imam performed the symbolic slaughtering of the sacrificial ram, marking the spiritual highlight of the Eid celebration.

In his sermon (Khutbah), the Chief Imam expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the gift of life and guidance. He urged Muslims to remain God-fearing, emphasizing that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. He also called on the faithful to uphold the values of peace, unity, and obedience to God’s commands.

The Emir of Ilorin in his address, congratulated Muslims on witnessing yet another Eid-el-Adha and thanked God for the peaceful gathering. The monarch prayed for the sick, wishing them a quick recovery, and enjoined all Ilorin indigenes to uphold peace and communal harmony, especially ahead of the Durbar festivities.

Speaking to journalists at the Eid ground, former Nigeria Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki called for continued unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians. He said: ” As we celebrate and thank Almighty Allah for being here to celebrate Eid, we should all remember the virtues of unity, sacrifice and particularly helping those who are even more in need. We should continue to stand for justice, continue to unite and look at the brighter future.

“So, let me congratulate all Muslims across the country, particularly here in Kwara and may Almighty Allah continue to guide us. And let us remember those virtues, as I said, unity, sacrifice and being able to help each other, think of things that will unite us, not divide us.

And Inshallah, the future will be bright for all of us. Congratulations to all of us.”