WRITER: OLAYINKA ALAYA
TOPIC: THE NEED TO
EMULATE THE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN THE ANCIENT CITY OF ILORIN IN TACKLING
RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA
Ilorin perhaps came into existence
five to seven hundred years ago when a place was discovered with hard rocks for
repairing or sharpening weapons. No doubt it was surrounded by hills and forest
inhabitated by many wild animals, elephants, lions, snakes and several birds.
While delivering his keynote address
at the second National Conference of the Centre for Ilorin Studies, University
of Ilorin, the Former Chief Justice of Nigeria and head of the Belgore's
dynasty, Retired Justice Saliu Alfa Modibo Belgore, who traced the history of
Ilorin from Old Oyo empire to the advent of the great and renowned Islamic
scholar, Sheikh Alimi, said the ancient city of Ilorin was full of Islamic and
different scholars, saying that the city would continue to grow stronger from
strength to strength .
Indeed, the ancient city of Ilorin
is blessed with robust cultural heritage and values which indicate peaceful
co-existence of the town, different people with different ethnic background
such as the Yorubas, Hausas, Fulanis, Nupes, Barubas to mention a few. The city
is also endowed and full of Scholars in different fields.
In fact, the ancient city is the
most respected city in Nigeria and Africa that produced renowned Islamic
scholars who have been propagating the course of Islam and impacting in-depth
quranic education.
Sons and daughters of Ilorin have
achieved and contributed immensely to the growth and development of Kwara State
and Nigeria as a whole. Nigerians will not forget the immense contributions of
the late former Vice President during the Military era, Late Babatunde
Idiagbon, the late Political Icon in the state, Olusola Saraki also contributed
to the Political structure of the country. Nevertheless, in Nigeria's Judiciary
system, history won't forget the contributions of the indigenes of the ancient
city.
Added to this is the linguistic
proficiency for which the town has always been accorded high regards and due
attention such that many people are known to have come to historic city mainly
to acquire communicative competence and eloquence.
Over the years, the city of Ilorin
has remained a unique centre of attraction to many interest groups. Geographers
are attracted to the city's strategic location, historians are interested in
its historical monuments, settlers migrate there for its serene atmosphere,
business men and women love its economic viability, politicians admire its
relative political stability, while learned individuals enjoy its status of
being the city of erudite Muslim and Christian scholars who truly do the will
of God.
Responsible traditions are the
establishment of Tertiary institutions located in the state. In view of robust
cultural heritage of Ilorin, the University of Ilorin deemed it fit and
established the Centre for Ilorin Studies with the mandate to retrieve and
preserve Ilorin-related manuscripts and publications by the indigenes of the
emirate. Such materials could be in Arabic and other languages and in all
disciplines. It is also mandated to collect and preserve similar manuscripts
and publications written by any scholar from any part of the world.
The Kwara State University, Malete,
also in her effort to obtain factual manuscripts and publications of the Ilorin
Emirate also established Centre for Ilorin Manuscripts and Culture. It is not
only tertiary institutions in Kwara state doing such for their host community,
the University of Ibadan also established Centre for Arabic Documentation for its
host community.
One of the original mandates of
Universities is to be a citadel of Knowledge for community development. The two
tertiary institutions need to be commended for preserving the culture of their
host communities. It is therefore pertinent to implore the two
universities to continue to capture contemporary socio-cultural, economic and
political events, as well as emerging topical issues that have immediate or
remote bearings on the survival of the emirate.
Scholars and academics should
further exploit the history of Ilorin as the city is blessed with abundant and
reached cultural heritage that makes it unique in the world.
The peaceful co-existence of the
ancient city and harmonious relationship between different ethnic and religious
groups in Nigeria is worthy of emulation. Infact, the Federal Government should
understudy Ilorin and apply the principles through which the City achieves some
unity in diversity to Nigeria so that the differences in the country would be
converted to strengths.
The people of Ilorin are also urged
to continue to maintain the peace of the state and eschew any act capable of
causing break down of law and orders. Ilorin will continue to grow stronger in
strength and strength.
Other cities can also
emulate the peaceful co-existence in Ilorin where different tribes are accommodated,
living peacefully and harmoniously together. This will also help the country in
tackling the security challenges confronting it.
