The residents of Ilorin Emirate in Kwara State made a plea on Monday, urging the federal government to rename the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) after the founder of the Alimi Dynasty, Sheikh Alimi ibn Solihu ibn Janta.
Alhaji Aliyu Otta-Uthman, the president of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), conveyed this appeal on behalf of the Emirate’s people during the opening of the 58th national conference of the union held at the forecourt of the Emir’s palace in Ilorin.
While commending the state government for its strides in education, Otta-Uthman requested the location of the proposed Kwara State University of Education within Ilorin metropolis.
He also advocated for the establishment of a Kwara State University of Science and Technology in Ilorin, emphasizing its role in nurturing local talents for technological and economic development.
Addressing the renaming of the University of Ilorin after Sheikh Alimi, Otta-Uthman stated, “An equally sublime request, which is long overdue, is the renaming of the University of Ilorin after Sheikh Alimi to be called Sheikh Alimi University, Ilorin in honour of Sheikh Alimi ibn Solihu ibn Janta, the founder of the Alimi Dynasty just like was done for his contemporaries like Uthman Danfodiyo University Sokoto, named after Sheikh Uthman Danfodiyo, the founder of Sokoto caliphate and Modibo Adama University Yola, named after Adama ibn Ardo Hassana, the founder of Adamawa Emirate.”
He urged the state government to present this request to the National Assembly through the Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District and his colleagues in the House of Representatives.
To enhance the security of lives and property in the state, Otta-Uthman called for an increased budgetary allocation to agriculture to create more job opportunities for the people.
