Date: 2020-04-29

Emir of Ilorin Zulu Gambari Emir, Emirate Raise N50m Palliative for Vulnerable People in Ilorin Few weeks, after the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari set up an Ilorin Emirate Palliatives Fund to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on the weak and vulnerable people, a total sum of N50,000,000 have been generated.

The Emir of Ilorin, had personally donated the sum of one million Naira to kickstart the contribution with top Imams and members of the Emirate Council making donations to the fund. At the official flag-off of the distribution of palliative today, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara eulogised the Emir of Ilorin for initiating the project and providing supports to his subjects.

He also lauded the initiative of Ilorin Emirate Palliative Committee for supporting the community with food and other palliative items during the current lockdown. AbdulRazaq acknowledged the support at the distribution of palliatives to vulnerable members of the community at the Emir's Palace in Ilorin. He said the donation made by some illustrious indigenes of the Emirate was aimed at cushioning the effect of the dreaded global pandemic. AbdulRazaq assured that his administration would not relent in ameliorating the hardships ocassioned by COVID-19 pandemic.

He said, for instance, that his administration has provided motorcyclists, popularly knowns as "Okada riders" and other transporters with soft loans. He noted the sector was badly hit with the current lockdown in the state. He charged members of the public to adhere strictly with the measures put in place to curb the spread of the virus, saying that the use of facemask is compulsory in the state.

The emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari represented by the Balogun Gambari, Alhaji Aliyu Adebayo, commended the governor's effort to tackle the spread of the virus. The first class traditional ruler also lauded the efforts of the committee for ensuring the success of the programme. He however called on indigenes of the emirate to do more to promote the development of the state and country at large. Earlier, the Co-Chairman of Ilorin Emirate Palliative Committee, Alhaji Otta Aliyu-Uthman, said the committee had raised funds for the intervention project.

Aliyu-Uthman, who is also the National President of the llorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (lEDPU), said the beneficiaries would include indigenes and non-indigenes resident in all the 169 wards of Ilorin Emirate Council.

The chairman commended all the donors for supporting the project and solicited for assistance. The event was attended by several eminent indigines of the Emirate from all walks of life. During the launching of the palliative fund in his place two weeks ago, the Emir had appealed to all indigenes, residents, friends, groups, associations, clubs, corporate bodies and well-wishers of Ilorin to donate generously to the Palliative Funds.

The Emir had reiterated that assorted food and medicals could be donated as part of individuals and corporate bodies contributions to the palliatives scheme. The project is aimed at supporting the Federal and Kwara State Governments in providing stimulus to the people who are adversely affected by the lockdown wand help to stem the spread of the deadly COVID-19 Pandemic which is presently ravaging the world. The money realised from the palliatives fund is used to purchase food items for distribution to deserving people of the Emirate, particularly at this period close to the month of Ramadan fast.