The installation of Alhaji Hanafi Omotosho Kawu as the seventh Daudu of Agaka was a celebration like no other, writes ADEKUNLE JIMOH
It was all pomp on Friday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital as the seventh Daudu of Agaka, Alhaji Hanafi Omotosho Kawu was installed. The new Daudu Agaka is from the Shitta Alimi Oroganloye Family Ruling House.
The Agaka ancestral home of the new Daudu, where the event took place, was full of activities. The coronation ceremony was punctuated by Qu’ranic recitations, sermon, lecture and enormous treat for the people present. The installation rites of the seventh Daudu Agaka, Ilorin commenced around 5:25 p.m.
Eminent personalities in and around Ilorin converged on the premises of the Agakas to savour one of the most exhilarating events of the New Year.
At the ceremony were (former) President of Ilorin Third Estate, Mallam Ahmed Bolaji Nagode; Proprietor, Darul Kitab Wa Sunnah, Sheikh Abdulkadir Oba Solagberu; 2019 governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Ajia; Alhaji Suleiman Obalola, a younger brother to the new Daudu Agaka, Bolakale Kawu; Daudus Alege and Bere. Others included sons and daughters of Agaka, Alhaji Mohammed Wasaram and Alhaji Mohammed Salau.
Being a descendant of Shitta Alimi, one of the late Emirs of Ilorin, it is an established tradition that the Daudu Agaka is turbaned in his ancestral home after which he would proceed to the Palace of the Emir of Ilorin for obeisance and royal blessing.
Appearing in an immaculate white babaringa with flowing gown (Alkinba) to match, Omotosho Kawu Agaka was turbaned in the presence of other Daudus, royal chiefs and a highpowered delegation from the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim SuluGambari.
Some relatives, family members, friends and colleagues of the newly turbaned Daudu also appeared in white costumes of lace materials ostensibly in keeping with the culture of African spirit of communality.
The new Daudu of Agaka, born on July 19, 1961 was appointed to the respected stool of illustrious forebears on July 6, 2019 by the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Emirs and Obas, Alhaji Ibrahim SuluGambari in recognition of his worthwhile leadership qualities.
He succeeded his late father who was the immediate and sixth Daudu of Agaka, Ilorin and first Dan Iya of Ilorin, the late Alhaji Ibrahim Kawu Agaka who died last year. Shortly after the installation, Daudu Agaka exchanged pleasantries and banters with other Daudus and members of the royal family from the Ilorin Emirate. Describing his appointment as divine will, the new Daudu expressed gratitude to the Emir of Ilorin for finding him worthy of the exalted royal position.
Daudu Agaka thanked the Emir of Ilorin for giving him the opportunity to serve his people. Alhaji Kawu Agaka, who expressed delight on his emergence as the 7th Daudu Agaka also promised to serve the community and Ilorin Emirate with sincerity of purpose.
Ilorin-based Islamic Scholar, Mallam Lukman Muktar Isalekoto urged holders of public offices to be conscious of Almighty Allah in their daily undertakings. The cleric said the unbearable situations in the society were getting precarious because of lack of fear of Allah, saying that any nation that prioritises God-fearing would certainly be on the righteous path.
Isalekoto expressed concern over the plight of the less privileged and noted that it was the responsibility of those blessed with resources to restore smiles on their faces. Advising members of the royal family to be disciplined and lead by example, the Islamic scholar challenged them not to allow themselves to be influenced badly by peer groups.
He also cautioned against needless division in the royal family, saying that those born of royal blood must see themselves as an indivisible entity that should shun desperation.
Isalekoto, who described Daudu Agaka as a man of humility and discipline, prayed for his successful reign in office. Ustaz Isalekoto urged the princes to strive to take care of the children of slaves and always assist the orphans around them. He urged both young and old to dedicate their lives to the worship of Allah. He urged the new Daudu to make principles of contentment, protection of integrity and sincerity a watchword in his service to humanity. Ustaz Isalekoto, who explained that the three principles are sure way of greater success in life also prayed God to guard and guild the new Daudu Agaka in the management of his people.
Bolakale Kawu, an engineer, described the new Daudu Agaka as a complete gentleman who had been contributing positively towards the development of Agaka community and Ilorin Emirate as a whole. While appreciating the Emir of Ilorin for choosing Alhaji Omotosho Kawu Agaka as the new Daudu Agaka, Bolakale Kawu expressed optimism that the reign of the newly turbaned Daudu Agaka would witness series of developmental activities in the entire Emirate. Dignitaries urged the new Daudu of Agaka, Ilorin to use the position to reunite the family, ensure the growth and development of his people and domains, be focused and dedicated to the general wellbeing of his people.
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