PROF. ALI AHMAD CELEBRATES THE 85TH BIRTHDAY OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, MAI MARTABA, THE EMIR OF ILORIN
Ilorin, April 22, 2025 — Former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and Professor of Constitutional Law, Rt. Hon. Prof. Ali Ahmad, has extended heartfelt congratulations to His Royal Highness, Mai Martaba Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, the Emir of Ilorin, on the remarkable occasion of his 85th birthday.
Describing the Emir as “a beacon of wisdom and dignity whose reign has brought unmatched harmony and development to the Ilorin Emirate,” Prof. Ahmad paid tribute to the royal father’s legacy of justice, religious tolerance, and cultural preservation.
“A trained jurist of high repute who rose to the prestigious position of Justice of the Court of Appeal, Mai Martaba has, since his ascension to the throne in 1995, harmonized tradition with modern governance, anchoring his leadership on fairness, foresight, and moral strength,” Prof. Ahmad stated.
The Emir’s nearly three decades on the throne have been characterized by peacebuilding, scholarly humility, and a profound commitment to the spiritual and cultural identity of the Emirate.
Prof. Ahmad emphasized that under Mai Martaba’s stewardship, the Ilorin Emirate has remained a model of stability and progress. “In a time when traditional institutions face existential challenges, Mai Martaba has preserved the moral authority of the throne and elevated it through quiet diplomacy and principled engagement,” he remarked.
He also acknowledged Mai Martaba’s pivotal role at defining moments in Kwara’s history, noting how his wise counsel and interventions have upheld unity and mitigated divisions.
“Today, we celebrate more than a birthday; we honour a living bridge between Ilorin’s noble past and its promising future,” Prof. Ahmad continued. “May Allah (SWT) continue to bless Mai Martaba with enduring health, strength, and divine guidance.”
He concluded with prayers for continued peace and prosperity in the Emirate under Mai Martaba’s reign, and called on all sons and daughters of Ilorin to take pride in a monarch whose life is a testament to leadership grounded in faith, scholarship, and service.
Signed:
Sa’ad Ayinde
Media Assistant
Prof. Ali Ahmad
Former Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly