The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, has congratulated the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, on his historic turbaning as the second holder of the prestigious traditional title of Sardauna of the Ilorin Emirate.
The congratulatory message was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, by the DG’s Media Adviser, Mohammad Abdulkadri, mnipr.
Prof. Sulaiman described the turbaning ceremony as timely, noting that it comes at a period when Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration is being associated with what he described as “a new dawn in the making of modern Kwara State.”
According to the NILDS DG, the conferment of the title by the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, was a fitting recognition of the Governor’s contributions to the state.
He described Governor AbdulRazaq, who is also Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, as “a performer, a bridge builder, and a passionate respecter of traditional institutions.”
Prof. Sulaiman, a former Minister of National Planning and community leader in Ilorin, further noted that the Governor’s investiture was reminiscent of the ideals associated with his predecessor, the late Alhaji Umaru Saro, particularly in the areas of peacebuilding, unity and selfless public service.
He said the new Sardauna of the Ilorin Emirate represents “a promoter of peace, a unifying factor and a selfless public servant.”
The NILDS DG prayed for a long and impactful reign for Governor AbdulRazaq, as well as renewed strength and greater wisdom as he assumes his new traditional responsibilities in service to the people of the Ilorin Emirate, Islam and humanity.
The statement was signed by Mohammad Abdulkadri, mnipr, Media Adviser to the DG, NILDS.
