Thousands of residents, tourists and dignitaries on Thursday thronged the Kwara Baseball Park, Adewole, Ilorin, for the 2026 Ilorin Emirate Grand Durbar celebration.
The annual Durbar, usually held during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in Ilorin, featured horse processions, traditional music, drumming, praise singing and cultural displays.
Among dignitaries at the event were the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, alongside traditional title holders, government officials, clerics and business leaders.
Hundreds of horse riders entertained guests with coordinated parades and equestrian displays as residents dressed in colourful traditional attire filled the venue.
Security operatives, including personnel of the police, army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed across the venue to maintain order.
The Durbar Committee had earlier announced security measures for the festival, including the installation of CCTV cameras at strategic locations and plans for the participation of about 500 horses.
Speaking during the event, the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Alhaji Usman Atolagbe, described the emirate as a symbol of peaceful coexistence among different ethnic groups.
He said, “Fulani, Yoruba, Nupe, Baruba, Hausa, Kanuri, Gobirawa and several other communities have continued to live together peacefully under the Ilorin Emirate structure.”
Also speaking, the Mogaji of Odo-Okun Community, Alhaji Kabir Dogo, said the annual Durbar had contributed to the promotion of unity and economic activities in Ilorin and across Kwara State.
