Emir of Ilorin at 80: Saliu Mustapha’s Surprise Birthday Gift
By Olateju Kayode Taofiq (ESQ)
With a whopping N5million in commodities donation to the Ilorin Emirate Palliative Funds, Saliu Mustapha, the taciturn but extremely generous scion of Ilorin, stood out from among the pack as the single biggest donor to the community crowd-funding so far. It is also by far the most beautiful and most impactful tribute never written to the Emir of Ilorin, HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Zulu-Gambari on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
Gifting is both an art and an etiquette. In fact, in ancient China, the art of picking gift that struck at the very heart of the recipient instead of a hefty price tag was a serious and profitable business. The reason is not far-fetched. The most meaningful presents do not always come wrapped in shiny paper or frilly ribbons, they’re mostly the ones that lighten the recipient’s spirit, ignite his imagination, and ease his troubled mind. And Saliu Mustapha, somehow, has showned times and again, that he’s a master at this art.
Sometimes in August 2018, on the eve of the 1st Dubar in Ilorin (as rejuvenated), Saliu Mustapha gifted two beautiful white horses to the Emir of Ilorin. Tales around the palace then had it that that gesture made the biggest impression to the Emir and the Emirates-in-Council.
Exactly a year after, the same man donated a branded space bus to the Yahaya Alapansapa-led Dubar Committee for ease of mobility and coordination for the 2nd Dubar ceremony. Among so many other donations made by other illustrious sons and daughters of Ilorin at that time, Saliu is arguably the only one that’s still tangibly visible till this moment. How so strategic!
And now this, At a time like this, no known responsible political or traditional leader is sleeping and waking up happy. Economies are crumbling, people’s livelihoods are vanishing and jobs are being lost. Even the world, as we used to know it, is practically on its knees now gasping for breath. No thanks to the ravaging novel viral infection – the Corona Virus.
So, when it was announced yesterday that Mallam Saliu Mustapha has donated two trailer load of bags of rice to the Funds set up by the Emir of Ilorin to cushion the excruciating effect of the Pandemic on his people, I knew that yet again, Mallam as fondly called has inadvertently scored another point in the cherished art of gifting.
Come to think of it, he could have kept the money for himself for multitude of other pressing needs. Alternatively, he could have simply sliced it into two and donated a half of it to pair with his brother, Alhaji Yakubu Gobir who reportedly donated N2.5million to the Funds. But he would not have any of that. He decided, like a master strategist that he is, to donate it all to the Emirates Funds for the greater good.
Saliu Mustapha must have realised that more than anything else, a simple gesture that is capable of putting smiles on the faces of thousands of Ilorin indigenes at this time is not only a glad tidings to his father and the Ilorin’s Emir but also a symbolic commemoration of the Maimartaba’s historic 80th birthday beyond papers and pen. And he is right, as unfolding events will soon show.
So, here is a toast to ALAANU MEKUNU; to the master of art of gift and planning; to the man who understands where the shoe pinches; to the man who cherishes heritage and traditions; and to a worthy son of the soil!
For and on behalf of the sons and daughters of Ilorin, home and abroad, I say Jazakumulahu Khairan Jazah sir!
Olateju Kayode Taofiq (ESQ) is an Ilorin based legal practitioner.
