It is an incontrovertible fact that the 20-year reign of the Emir of Ilorin, Alh (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has brought about unprecedented development of the Ilorin Emirate in particular, and Kwara State in general.

Sulu-Gambari, an accomplished Jurist and chairman, Kwara state Council of traditional rulers, ascended the throne of his forefathers on November 11, 1995.

Of the 20 years the Emir has spent on the throne, only four fell within military rule, with the remaining 16 in civilian rule.

Within the 16 year civilian rule, the Emir was lucky to have two illustrious sons of Ilorin as governors in quick succession. The late Admiral Mohammed Lawal of blessed memory ruled the state between 1999 and 2003 while the incumbent Senate President and Turakin Ilorin, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki ruled the state between 2003 and 2011.

During the 12 years reign of Lawal and Saraki, Ilorin witnessed tremendous development.

Besides patronising local contractors, the bulk of whom were Ilorin indigenes, the Lawal administration opened up the New Yidi road-Asa Dam axis of the metropolis, through the construction of a low cost housing estate(Irewolede Estate) and citing of the multi- million naira head office of The Herald Newspapers in the area.

The Lawal administration also opened up a number of access roads in Ilorin to facilitate easier movement of the people and as well boost economic activities in the state capital.

On assumption of office, the then Governor Saraki made the restoration of peace the cardinal objective of his administration.

Saraki's administration did all within its power to ensure that those in possession of illegal weapons surrendered them. The administration also recorded huge success in freeing Ilorin and the state at large from the destructive activities of cultists, which had become very rampant before Saraki became governor.

Having successfully restored peace to Ilorin, the Saraki administration commenced execution of developmental projects in earnest.

Saraki's administration has about four housing estates to its credit- Mandate Housing Estate (phases 1-3) and the Harmony estate, Akerebiata.

It also tarred virtually all the major roads in downtown Ilorin, especially those that fall within Ilorin West local government area.

The peaceful atmosphere of Ilorin also attracted some investment to the state.

g investments such as TUYIL Pharmaceutical Company, KAM Wire, Chincheng Assembly Plant and Olam Cashew Processing Company sprang up in Ilorin and its environs.

These companies which were supported by the government to thrive, in turn, employed thousands of indigenes of Ilorin Emirate, thereby creating wealth and prosperity.

The establishment of Kwara State University, Malete, a first class university by every standard, has been variously said to be one of the biggest of Saraki's footprints in Ilorin Emirate.

Malete and its environs in Moro local government area have assumed the status of cities due to students-staff population and visitors - both local and foreign - that daily throng the area to transact business.

The reign of the Emir has also witnessed the remodeling and expansion of the most cherished value of Ilorin people - the Ilorin Central mosque. There is also the Shoprite attracted to the state by the Saraki administration. Thousands of indigenes of Ilorin have been engaged by this giant retail industry while its presence has also boosted the businesses of some artisans, transporters and pretty traders.

The achievements of the Saraki administration are now being complemented and improved upon by the administration of the incumbent governor of the state, Alh Abdulfatah Ahmed. It’s on record that Governor Ahmed’s administration has completed most of the projects it inherited from the Saraki administration.

Above all, Ilorin Emirate and the state at large have enjoyed peace and tranquility the most part of the 20- year reign of Sulu-Gambari.

Peace and unity appear to be the most cherished values of the Emir as his public speeches are always centred around these topics.

It was therefore not surprising when on Wednesday, November, 11, 2015, the Emir decided to mark his 20th anniversary on the throne with a special prayer.

The celebration was low-key and the prayer session meant only to thank the God for His favours on the Ilorin Emirate and to ask for more peace and prosperity for the Emir and his subjects.

The special prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheik Muhammad Bashir Solihu.

And in an apparent recognition of the Emir’s passion for the growth of Ilorin Emirate and prosperity of his subjects, eminent Ilorin indigenes from all walks of life converged on the palace to take part in the prayer session.

At the inner chamber of the palace where the prayer took place, was the Khalifa -al- Adabiyya, Sheik Ahmad Kamaldeen, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali; his KWASU counterpart, Prof AbdulRasheed Na’Allah; special adviser to the state governor on political matters, Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape and President of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji AbdulHamid Adi.

Also in attendance were the Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Alhaji Mas’ud Elelu; former Grand Khadi, State Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Mutalib Ambali and prominent traditional rulers including Olusin of Isanlu-Isin, Oba Solomon Oluwagbemiga Oloyede.

Traditional chiefs within the Emirate and leaders across the strata of Ilorin city also graced the event.

Imam Solihu prayed Almighty Allah to grant the monarch quality healthy and long life to be able to rule the ancient city for a long time to come.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof Ambali described the Emir as a blessing to Ilorin community, pointing out that the traditional ruler has been tremendously supportive of Unilorin under his leadership.

"We are happy for him (the Emir) as an individual and for Ilorin community as a community under him, including University of Ilorin because we are also under him. We have been enjoying his leadership. Over the years, he has been supporting the university in addressing some of its challenges and we are happy and we celebrate with him.

"He has a very great personality; he has a personality that carries the weight of the office and I'm glad and happy for Ilorin community for having somebody like him," Ambali said.

In his remarks, the IEDPU President, Alh Adi, described the 20 years reign of the Ilorin monarch as historic.

"So many things have happened during his tenure and to this we are very grateful to Allah. One of the most important things that happened during his tenure is the heart edifice, Ilorin Central Juma'at Mosque. It is a very unique mosque. It is one of the best in Africa. All these things happened during his tenure. We are happy that there has been peace and tranquility during his tenure," he emphasised.