By ‘Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
The brilliant academic pursuits and human dignity and rights concerns of the brother of Kwara State governor, Dr. Alimi Abdulrazaq, helped the Organization of Africa Unity, now African Union, AU, to get the Court for Human and People’s Rights, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has disclosed.
Osinbajo, a classmate of AbdulRazaq, was one of the top dignitaries who grace the turbaning of Dr AbdulRazaq as the new Mutawali of Ilorin by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
The occassion was also attended by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
Vice President Osinbajo revealed that Dr. AbdulRazaq is an upholder of human dignity and rights, which stands him out in Nigeria and in Africa in general.
He said, “Some may not know that his PhD thesis on human rights protection in Africa set the framework for the establishment of the Africa Court for Human and Peoples Rights, which was commissioned by the then Organisation for African Unity, OAU, now African Union, AU.
“His accomplishments in law, education and participation in the banking industry are testaments to the qualities of Dr AbdulRazaq. He follows in succession to his late father, Alhaji AGF AbdulRazaq, SAN, as the first Mutawali of Ilorin.
“We can all attest to the fact that the new Mutawali of Ilorin brings many qualities to the title. The first class mind who has navigated the legal profession and the complex of business and politics at the highest level possible, strictly on the merit of his own capacity and the weight of his office.”
In his remarks, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari, said that Dr. AbdulRazaq and the AbdulRazaqs of Ilorin deserve the honour from the emirate for their sterling contributions to the ancient city, Kwara State and Nigeria as a whole.
The Emir said, “AbdulRazaq family deserves the honour received today from the people of Ilorin Emirate. May Allah bless the position. I believe the family will continue to contribute to the development of Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State and Nigeria in general.”
Dr. Sulu-Gambari also commended Vice President Osinbajo for his contributions to national development and for coming to honour the emirate on the historic occasion of his friend and classmate’s turbanning as Mutawalli.
Among other dignitories who graced the turbaning were: the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; brother of the celebrant; Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Engr) Yakubu Danladi Salihu; members of the National and State Assemblies; cabinet members; top members of the bench and the bar; and title holders from within and outside of the emirate.
