THE NEED TO EMULATE THE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN THE ANCIENT CITY OF ILORIN IN TACKLING RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA

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.