Celebrating Turaki of Ilorin on Birthday Anniversary
By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo, anipr
Birthday comes once in a year and it is a day of gratitude and reflection for the sane minds. It is equally a moment to rejoice as it is a special day in one’s life.
The Turaki of Ilorin, Senator Saliu Mustapha marks his 54th birthday on the 25th September, 2026. It has been my tradition to pen down words in his deserved honour on the occasion of his special day. It is no gainsaying that his culture of philanthropy and magnanimity have endeared him to all and sundry, hence many traditionally celebrate him on his birthday.
Senator Mustapha had been kind to the people of Ilorin Emirate long before he contested as Senator in 2023. Following his emergence as a Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, he has embarked on massive empowerments which have benefitted a lot of people. Also, he has facilitated road projects with some of them prevented from seeing the light of the day by the
leadership of his former party, for reasons best known to it.
Moreover, it is noteworthy that Senator Mustapha has invested tremendously in human capital development. For instance, he has rolled out hundreds of University scholarships to indigent students within Kwara Central Senatorial District and beyond. As a member of his Foundation’s Education Committee, I can attest to the fact that the scholarship scheme is the best idea that has made robust impacts.
He has also carried out an empowerment scheme tagged ‘Albarka Mega Empowerment.’ In the discharge of his legislative responsibility, records have shown that he has never been a passive Senator at plenaries. His 8 sponsored bills are a testament to this.
Against this backdrop, therefore, it would not be out of context to assert that re-electing him is the responsibility of conscious and enlightened electorates as the 2027 general election draws near. He had built bridges among the senators and has been very vocal to press home his request for his people.
Senator Saliu Mustapha is a Special Creature
A reflection on an experience on the eve of the 2023 Eid-el-Kabir reveals the unique nature of the Turaki of Ilorin. On this very day, I was at Senator’s residence in Ilorin and I witnessed how a lot of his supporters put forward their various demands and he ensured that all their demands were met and many smiled home with their account flooded with money, including that of yours sincerely. Interestingly, just before he did that, after everyone had made their request, he emphatically said, “I’m a human being like you and you should always take that into consideration but don’t worry all your requests would be granted.” He loves giving, giving and giving, As we all know, there is power in giving, hence if Turaki does not extend his hand to people he would not be happy.
The foregoing can be fact-checked with all those who have been Insulting him on the social media; none has ever used the word “Stingy” to describe the Turaki of Ilorin. In fact, in the entire history of those who have been turbaned as Turaki of Ilorin or any part of the North, you will never see where a miser was given the title of Turaki.
As senator Saliu Mustapha marks another year. I pray that Allah guides him, grant him long life and perfect his heart desire.
