The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari on Monday ordered indigenes of llorin Emirate to sheathe their swords and close communication in the ongoing controversies generated by the letter written by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
In a statement on Monday by his spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir noted that peace and tranquility are the major recipes required for the promotion of harmony in the state.
According to him, “His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR has ordered that nobody should further express their anger on the Isese festival and Prof. Wole Soyinka saga under any guide any longer in the interest of peaceful coexistence and harmonious working environment in Nigeria”.
He however appealed to the people of Ilorin Emirate and state at large to continue to live together in peace and restrain from any temptations that may arise from the cancellation of the Isese festival in Ilorin.
The Emir therefore thanked sons and daughters as well as friends of the Ilorin Emirate for the show of love and concern towards the preservation of the rich tradition and culture heritage of the Ilorin Emirate.
Last Tuesday, Soyinka, in an open letter, critisised the Emir for reportedly banning a Yoruba cultural event, the Isese festival, from holding in Ilorin. He described the Emir’s action is an assault on civilized conduct.
Shortly after an Osun devotee, Priestess Adesikemi Olokun reportedly released fliers announcing a three-day traditional event aimed at celebrating certain Yoruba deities, an Islamic group, Majlisu Shabab li Ulamahu Society stormed her residence to warn her not to hold the celebration.
The group reportedly said that they were sent by the Emir, while the Priestess also said that she received death threats over the planned festival.
Isese day is a public holiday observed by Osun and Ogun States to give a sense of belonging to adherents of traditional religions. It is usually celebrated on 20th August.
