The former acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, CON, has expressed profound gratitude to friends and family as well as well wishers across the country for honouring him during his turbaning as the new “Tafida of Ilorin”, by the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, CFR, on 18th February, 2022.
In his appreciation message written via a tweet @abubakarbaraje2, Baraje thanked the Almighty Allah for making the turbaning ceremony successful, the Emir of Ilorin for finding him worthy of the title and dignitaries in all spheres of life, which included former Nigerian Presidents and Military Head of State, Vice Presidents and Senate Presidents, International business moguls, Diplomats, notable captains of Industry, traditional rulers and Islamic scholars, among other top VIPs in the political circle.
They included former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR; former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, former Senate Presidents, Sen. (Dr) David Mark, GCON; and Sen. (Dr) Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR; President Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; PDP National Chairman and Secretary, Dr (Sen.) Iyorcha Ayu and Sen. Sam Anyanwu respectively, and PDP Board of Trustees’ Chairman, Sen. Walid Jibril.
He equally thanked Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR; and his Deputy Governor, Alhaji Manir Muhammad Dan Iya, Sardaunan Kware; former Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and his Gombe State counterpart, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, former and serving members of National and State Houses of Assembly, former and serving Ministers among a host of others. He also appreciated former Kwara South Senator and Bobaselu of Erin-Ile land, Sen. (Dr) Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim; Kwara State PDP Chairman and his State Working Committee, Chairman Board of Trustees of Abubakar Kawu Baraje Foundation, Barr. Abdulqadri Adebayo Adelodun, SAN; and other legal luminaries present, serving and retired Justices, Talba of Ebira land, Alhaji Usman Hamza, Hajia Bola Shagaya, Ambassador Nihinlola Akanbi, Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Salihu, OON; Islamic Scholars and Ulamas, various Islamic and cultural groups, women groups from across the state, his co-chieftancy title holders. Baraje specially thanked his family members led by Dr Abdullahi Saadu, entire Baboko family headed by Magaji Baboko, Alhaji Ahmed Baba Magaji, all Kwara State PDP stakeholders, elders, women and youth, members of the ITC Old Students Association, in particular, 1971 and 1972 sets respectively, executive and members of Klub 27 led by its President, Engineer Yahaya Agboola Umar, members of the Abubakar Kawu Baraje Turbaning Committee headed by His Excellency, Ambassador Shiekh Usman Abdulazeez, FWC, entire staff and aides of His Royal Highness, gentlemen of the press and many others too numerous to mention.
“While again showing how thankful he was for the show of love, care, prayers and affection towards him, as he said those are the things that kept him going and fulfilled, Baraje therefore wished them all, best of luck in their various endeavours in life.
Abiola Taiye Oluwabunmi, an ambitious and driven individual, is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin. Her journalistic pursuits are evident in her love for reporting, photography, and content writing. She has gained valuable experience in the world of business as a result of her work with X Culture International Organizations, where she excelled in market strategy and analysis, research, SWOT analysis, and various other business-related tasks.
Abiola’s passion and dedication to her work make her a standout among her peers.