There has been an outrcy and condemnations over statement by the people of Ilorin Emirate in Kwara on their calls to the federal government to rename the University of Ilorin after the founder of the Alimi Dynasty, Sheikh Alimi ibn Solihu ibn Janta.
The people also requested the Kwara State government to direct all heads of government offices, captain of industries and chairmen of the five local government areas in Ilorin Emirate to henceforth display the portrait of the Emir of Ilorin, alongside that of the president and governor in their offices.
The president of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alh Aliyu Otta-Uthman, made the appeal on behalf of the people of the Emirate in the address he presented at the opening of the 58th national conference of the union held at the forecourt of the Emir’s Palace in Ilorin.
While praising the state government for its giant strides in the education sector, the IEDPU president appealed to the government to site the proposed Kwara State University of Education within Ilorin metropolis.
Outcy and Condemnations
University Don, Professor Hassan Salihu, University of Ilorin, has charged professors of Ilorin indigene in Kwara State to liberate Ilorin community from its economic and political bondage.
Professor Hassan, president of the National Political Science Association of Nigeria (NPSA), said for the Ilorin-born professors to meet the expectations of their immediate community and society at large, they must among other measures bridge the gaps between the political wigs and intellectual resources.
Salihu, a professor of Political Science and International Relations in the University of Ilorin, gave the admonition at the annual General meeting of Ilorin Emirate Professors Association (IEPA) held in Ilorin, Kwara State on Tuesday.
The event was themed “Ilorin Professors, Academia, Challenges and Solutions.”
In his paper titled ‘Pressing Challenges,’ Salihu noted that IEPA with about 300 membership strength has little or no influence in making decisions that will be of collective interest to the emirate.
The university teacher also lamented that the culture of Ilorin Emirate is being “assaulted by other ravaging cultures that are alien to the community.”
Also, scores of Nigerians have taken to their social media handles to react to the statement of Ilorin Emirate.
@JimohHabibullah: These days, I no longer partake in aimless arguments. But then, what’s all this I’m reading on my timeline since yesterday? Some students are bemoaning the Emirate’s suggestion to rename the University of Ilorin to Sheik Alimi University.
@miladyraider: Shey that name even make sense for their ears ????? Alimi university korh Afonja university ni. The university is a federal university and it’s in ilorin not alimi. The controversies you guys are looking for, you go soon see am.
@blockofbuilder: Ilorin elite group should build a University and name it for their ancestor Alimi, no need to steal a national asset. Many private university now exists, Ilorin elite should put their money where their mouth is and stop passive aggression.
@prestige_kts: What’s all these now, if Unilorin want to be renamed after someone, it must be someone that has socioeconomic effects to the city. Let’s just calm make we no dey talk much wetin Alimi do for ilorin. What’s the development he brings to the city? Free to rant if you are his slave.
@jagabanolu: University of Ilorin, a federal University owned by 200 million Nigerians not Ilorin will not be renamed Sheik Alimi University…Ilorin is not the only part of Kwara state or Nigeria🙏
@d_LegalEagle: The gist that UNILORIN should be renamed Sheik Alimi University Ilorin has caused tribalism to resurface among Kwarans.
It is evident how divided Kwara was & still is by the haughtiness of the supposedly powerful No 1s and the fervent hatred of the others. It is well with Kwara
