Date: 2019-02-14

Erubu in the ancient town of Ilorin, Kwara State capital, was agog on Friday as Dr. Shuaib Folorunsho Erubu was turbanned as the 7th Magaji of the community.

All roads led to the locality for the coronation which had trappings of pomp and pageantry.

The coronation rites had with the turbanning of the new Magaji by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari.

As early as 9am, a mammoth crowd had converged on the Emir’s palace in the heart of the ancient city to witness and be part of the historic moment.

The beauty of the Ilorin cultural heritage was on display at the colourful event buoyed by frenzy and razzmattazz.

Drummers, traditional dancers, singers and cultural groupss were on hand to add colour to the historic event.

Adorning embroidered white flowing gown (agbada) and a red cap, the Magaji was bestowed royal blessings by the Emir amidst wild cheers by the crowd. He was later decorated with the paraphenalia of the new office, as part of the coronation rites.

In a show of royal splendour, the new traditional ruler departed the Emir’s palace on a beautifully decorated brown horse surrounded by a large number of people who accompanied him on foot.

At his ancestral home, the Magaji was warmly received by his kinsmen, who accorded him a well attended reception ceremony.

The ceremony had in attendance array of dignitaries from across the state, among whom were government functionaries, politicians, media chiefs and clerics among others.

Present at the event were the Managing Director of National Pilot Newspaper, Alhaji Billy Adedamola, former Chief Press Secretary to former governor, Alhaji Moshood Adebimpe, retired  Permanent Secretaries, Alhaji Alabi Amuda and Hajia Bilikis Jumoke Sanni, to mention but a few.

There were side attractions as people wined and dined at the ceremony. Aged women were seen doing the Ijo Olomoba, which involved the beating of calabashes immersed in buckets of water to give melodious sounds.  The dance is associated with the blue blood lineage in Ilorin. The Magaji later joined the women on the dance floor; swaying to their mellifluous music.

Speaking with National Pilot on sideline of the event, the newly installed Magaji said he had no inkling that the mantle of leadership will fall on him.

He, however, expressed gratitude to God and the Emir for the opportunity to serve his people in that capacity.

Erubu promised not to betray the confidence reposed in him by the Emir and his kinsmen, adding that he would use everything at his disposal to ensure development of the community.

“Despite the fact that I am from a royal family; my grandfather was the Magaji, I didn’t expect it because I have elder ones that are blessed with better exposure and experience.

“But, I thank the Emir, HRH Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari for my installation as the new Magaji. I will do everything possible to maintain the peace the community has been enjoying and contribute to the development of Ilorin in general,” he added.

Also speaking, his wife, Jibola Erubu, while thanking God for the privilege given to her husband to serve his people, prayed that God should grant him the requisite wisdom to run affairs of the community.

She solicited the support of the people to the new Magaji for him to record achievements on the throne of his forebears.

Also, Hajia Balikis Sanni congratulated Erubu over his installation, urging him to see it as a rare opportunity to serve his people.

Describing the new Magaji as a God-fearing and intelligent man, she charged him to make equity, fairness and justice as his watchword