By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Emir of Ilorin, Mai Martaba, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, has unveiled the refined and branded Ilorin Emirate Anthem for the use of indigenes of the city.
The refined and branded anthem was produced by the Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, Professor Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi SAN.
Presenting the production to the Emir at his palace, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Akanbi SAN who was accompanied by management staff of the University said the decision to refine and package the anthem came from the desire of the University to lend its expertise to the promotion of society.
Professor Akanbi, who stated that the production was aimed at encouraging indigenes to learn the lyrics and use the anthem at all events, added that the song would spur the people to patriotic acts as the lyrics encouraged commitment and attachment to the Ilorin community in its eulogies of great personages and attributes of the city.
The Vice Chancellor said it was one more way the University was bridging the gap between the town and the gown, noting also that the production of the anthem brought students of the University together with notable musicians in Ilorin such as Alhaji Saka Danfo, al-gaita and bèmbé musicians, among others.
He noted that the team of professionals which worked on the anthem paid attention to all cultural nuances such as the instruments, stressing that the original lyrics were retained in the refined anthem.
Professor Akanbi eulogised the Emir of Ilorin for encouraging the synergy between the University and the community, pledging the continued readiness of the institution to contribute to the advancement of the state.
The University helmsman acknowledged the professional contribution of Prof. Moshood Mahmoud Jimba, Prof. Jeleel Ojuade and Prof. Binta Sulyman to the production.
In his response, the Emir of Ilorin, HRH Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, commended the Kwara State University for always living up to its mantra of developing communities as again exemplified by the repackaging of the Ilorin anthem.
The traditional ruler stated that the anthem was dear to every patriotic indigene of the community and the repackaging would encourage its use by a larger number of people.
The Emir stressed the need for all indigenes and citizens of the community to forge ahead in unity as that was the fastest route to progress, urging that the deployment of the anthem to every quarter be speedily facilitated.
The Emir commended the Vice Chancellor and his team for taking it upon themselves to reproduce a version of the anthem that would facilitate its popular use, identifying that the new anthem showcased the rich culture and history of the Ilorin Emirate in a more entertaining and accessible form.
He therefore instructed the use of the anthem at all events of the community, while due publicity should be given to it to encourage all indigenes to learn the anthem.
In his remarks, the chairman of the committee which worked on the refined anthem, Professor Moshood Mahmoud Jimba appreciated the warm reception and cooperation given to the committee when the production commenced.
He commended the zeal of the Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University, Professor Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi SAN which he said fast tracked the realization of the anthem.
Professor Jimba also commended the ingenuity of the duo of Alhaji Sulyman Sarumi and Alhaji Labaika for popularizing the anthem which Kwara State University has refined and branded.
Other speakers at the event included the President of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Union IEDPU, Alhaji Aliyu Ottah Usman and the President of Ilorin Youth Association, Abdullah Babatunde who pledged the immediate use of the anthem in all events.
Highpoints of the event were the unveiling by the anthem which was in Compact Disc form and the presentation of a gift to the Emir.
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