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Vice President Kassim Shettima, Kwara and Borno states’ governors, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Babagana Zulum respectively as well as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), were among the dignitaries that graced the turbaning of Prof. Yusuf Ali (SAN ) as Kuliyan Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate on Friday.

The ceremony, held at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, HRH Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, attracted senior government officials, traditional leaders, and prominent figures from the legal community across Nigeria.

Kwara State governor was represented by the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari showered encomiums on the honouree whom he described as a worthy partner.

“Your hard work has earned you the title. You fought for the emirate. For almost 20 years, you spent your wealth, energy, time for the development of the Ilorin Emirate. This is why we recognise your effort.

“You stood with us when the going was tough. We will not forget you in the emirate. We shall relate this message to our unborn children. From this moment, you have become the emir’s number one legal adviser,” the emir said.

Sulu-Gambari, who urged Ali to continue his philanthropic gestures to the community and the people, prayed for Shettima and other dignitaries at the ceremony.

An elated Ali thanked the Emir for the honour done to him, pledging continuous support for the Ilorin Emirate.

He said he was overwhelmed by the presence of the vice president and members of his entourage, as well as other eminent personalities that came to honour him.

Commenting, the deputy Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Ade Ipaye, described Ali as a leading light in the Nigerian Bar.

He said many practising lawyers and judges across the country draw inspiration from Ali.

Noting that the attendance at the ceremony was a testimony to Ali’s popularity among colleagues, Ipaye said Ali is a leading light in the legal profession.

The dignitaries included the Ciroma of Ilorin, Alhaji Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari; Minister of Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola; former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau; the Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq; Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole; Dr. Wale Babalakin, Prof. Wale Sulaiman, Hajia Muinat Shagaya, Lanre Sagaya and Yahaya Alapansapa.

Others were ex- Kwara grand Khadi, Justice Idris Haroun; founder of Al-Hikmah University, Alhaji AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, Dr Shuaib Belgore, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, Salman Adelodun (SAN), Kehinde Eleja (SAN), Mufti of Ilorin, Sheikh Faruq Onikijipa; Alhaji Liadi Tella and Prof. Olu Obafemi.