According to a news report from Voice of Nigeria, the Management of the Sugar Film Factory in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, has committed to partnering with the Ilorin Emirate Grand Durbar for comprehensive coverage of activities during the 2024 Durbar.

Scheduled for the second day of the Ileya festival at the Emir’s Palace in Ilorin, the event aims to showcase cultural splendor and heritage.

Mr Gbenga Titiloye, the Managing Director of the factory, made this assurance during a meeting with members of the Durbar Committee, led by its Chairman, Engineer Suleiman Yahaya Alapansanpa, the Danmasani of Ilorin.

“The factory will project the Ilorin Emirate Durbar positively and showcase the rich culture and economic benefits derivable, particularly to the international community. I believe that doing this will erase erroneous notion some people have about Africa.

“Such coverage will propagate the rich African culture to the western world as most of the potentials in Ilorin Emirate are money spinning ventures, which if well tapped, will boost the economy of not only the state but that of the entire nation and even Africa at large”, he said.

Titiloye disclosed that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq resolved to establish the factory in order to divert traffic and open Kwara to the International community for film production and training of broadcasters as well as discourage brain-drain in the industry.

According to him, Kwara plays a frontline and unique role in film production in Nigeria.

He assured that indigene’s of the Ilorin Emirate will be trained to become professionals in their own right and eventually be absorbed, reiterating that the state Governor cherishes professionalism and therefore urged the Ilorin Emirate to support the Governor’s iconic idea.

He announced that apart from film production and its training programme, it would also diversify into other ventures which will also boost the economy of the state and create employment.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Engineer Alapansapa commended the foresight of Governor AbdulRazaq in establishing the factory, expressing optimism that the state will eventually be the Mecca of film producers and production in Africa.

He assured the management of the factory of the full support of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and the Durbar Committee for the development of the factory beyond their expectations and appreciated the monarch for encouraging and supporting members of the committee for the success of the forthcoming Durbar.

Others, who spoke at the event, were Retired Justice Idris Haroun, the Serikin Gobir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ahmad Yusuf Gobir, the Secretary of the main Durbar Committee, Professor Ibrahim Jawondo; and Alhaji Yinka Yahaya, who described the factory project as commendable and praised Governor AbdulRazaq for deeming it fit to establish it.

According to them, the factory has further opened Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria and the entire Africa to the entire world.

Satisfaction expressed

Meanwhile, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has expressed satisfaction with the way international communities, particularly multinational organizations, embraced the Ilorin Emirate Grand Durbar, which holds every second day of Ileya festival.

The Emir spoke in Ilorin while receiving members of the Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee led by its Chairman and Danmasani of Ilorin, Engineer Suleiman Yahaya Alapansanpa, in his Palace.

The committee was in the Emir’s palace to receive royal blessings ahead of the commencement of the 2024 Durbar activities.

Alhaji Sulu-Gambari expressed delight with the various supports the committee has gotten from sons and daughters of the Emirate, the local and state governments and particularly, the multinationals.

He assured that he would continue to give the committee necessary support and prayers for the success of job at hand, noting that the committee has never disappointed him since its inauguration years ago, urging members to keep up the good work.

“I have absolute trust and confidence in the leadership and members of this committee. I want to plead with you to continue to work in unison for the progress of the Emirate. It is a common knowledge that Ilorin is a unique community to reckon with”, the monarch said.

Earlier, Engineer Yahaya Alapansanpa described the Emir as a man of God, who is always interested in the progress and unity of his people.

He thanked the Emir for the confidence reposed in the committee and pledged to make the 2024 grand Durbar more unique and remarkable.

Alapansanpa said, “Though the present economic situation in the country is chaotic, all efforts are being put in place to look inward and ensure a huge success of the programme, hence the need for all sons and daughters of the Emirate to support the committee in this direction”.

During the visit, a retired Grand Kadi of the state, Justice Idris Haroun, offered special prayers for the Emir for long life, sound health and for him to witness more remarkable achievements during his life time on the throne of his forebears.