Just like every state in Nigeria, the Emirates City of Ilorin has Prominent Families that have produced Nigerians who are making the states proud. Some of these Families have produced Nigerians who are part of shakers and movers of our dear country, Nigeria.
The names of families listed are the prominent families in Ilorin, Kwara State capital of Nigeria. CITY PEOPLE magazine visited the state few weeks ago and brings you the movers and shakers of the state, Please Read On.
THE ABDUL-RAZAQ FAMILY
The Abdul-Razaq is one.of the popular Ilorin families. The present Governor is from the popular Abdul-Razaq family and his Late father, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Folorunsho Abdul-Razaq SAN (OFR) was an elder Statesman. Senator Air at Gwadabe who is the younger sister of Kwara States Governor is also from that family.
THE MADAWAKI FAMILY
The Madawaki Family has also produced many prominent Nigerians. The family has produced 2 Nigerian Ministers. Late Alhaji Yahaya Madawaki, the former Minister for Heath is from the popular Madawaki Family and his son was a Former Minister, Alhaji Aremu Yahaya. They are from popular Ori Opo family in Ilorin.
THE Shagayas
Ask within Ilorin, you will be told that the Shagaya family is big and mighty in the states. Engineer Lanre Shagaya, a foremost Engineer who owns Yola Consultant is the Dan Zana of Ilorin. Hajia Bola Shagaya is also married into that popular family.
THE SARAKIS
The late “Baba Oloye”, Dr. Olusola Saraki needs little or no introduction in the nation’s political arena. He was a former Senate Leader. He was popularly called “the godfather of Kwara politics.” He was the patriarch of the Saraki family of Ilorin. This is the family that produced the likes of Dr. Bukola Saraki, the immediate past Governor of Kwara State, and Senator representing Kwara North Central in the Senate.
Another popular member of this family is Sen. Gbemisola Saraki. The Sarakis are one of Ilorin’s richest families.
THE GAMBARIS
This is a great royal family in Ilorin, and among them is the present Emir of Ilorin, Dr Zulu Gambari, also a notable politician, Balikisu Gambari. Omar Bolaji Gambari, a corporate attorney, is the Managing Director of Pollux Energy Solutions Limited.
THE BELGORES
The Belgores are a family of reputable lawyers, some of whom are Senior Advocates of Nigeria(SAN) and judges. The likes of Justice Babatunde Belgore (former Chief Justice of Nigeria), Justice Alfa Belgore (former Chief Justice of Nigeria), Justice Ahmed Belgore, Justice Suleiman Belgore (Abuja High Court), Mohammed Dele Belgore, SAN; Yakubu Belgore; Maimuna Belgore-Shiru; Khadija Belgore. Some are Magistrates and State Counsels.
THE ONIKIJIPAS
This is another notable Ilorin family that needs little much introduction. One of them is Sheikh Onikijipa Almisqeen, a highly Revered Islamic Spiritualist, he teaches Islamic Knowledge, he preaches around, which has made him a renowned scholar. He controls a large followership of Islamic faithfuls.
THE BARAJES
The Barajes are a prominent family in Ilorin. They are successful Kwarans, and their descendants are still thriving tremendously in their chosen fields. One of them is Alhaji Kawu Baraje, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
THE ONIMAGOS
The Onimagos are blessed with successful offsprings. Alhaji Saka Onimago hails from this family.
THE ONIYANGIS
The Oniyangis are well known in Ilorin and have credible sons and daughters who are successful in their various fields.
THE IDIAGBONS
This is another prominent Ilorin family, with great house hold name. Late Major General Babatunde Idiagbon, the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters (Vice President) during the Buhari Military, regime is from the family.
THE OLORIEGBES
This is a very popular family that has Alhaji Oloriegbe, a business mogul as member. The family has produced prominent business icons.
THE KAWUS
The patriarch of the Kawu family (father of the judiciary in Kwara State), Justice Sa’ idu Kawu was the first Chief Judge for Kwara State; he was later elevated to the Supreme Court, and he became the first son of the Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State to become a Justice of the Supreme Court. Late Justice Kawu’s eldest son is Justice Suleiman Durosinlorun Kawu.
THE AYO SALAMIS
Justice Isa Ayo Salami, a former President of the Court of Appeal, has one of his sons doing well in the legal sector.
THE AJAIS
The Ajais are prominent people, a strong household name in Ilorin. They have successful sons and daughters.
THE ALIMIS
The Alimis are one of the foremost families in Ilorin. They are one of the largest families in Kwara State, notable and respected. They are blessed with successful sons and daughters who are doing well in various fields of life. Dr. Alimi Abdul-Razaq is the Chairman of the Governing Board of Bridge House College.
THE MUSAS
This is the family of Sheikh Buhari Musa, the popular Islamic preacher with an assertive approach to most of the public lectures he anchors. With his creative way of spicing his lecture up with entertaining banters, he anchors most society events where a touch of Islamic food for thought is required.
THE GEGELES
The Gegeles are Ilorin indigenes to the core, they are well known, with credible sons and daughters who are successful in various fields.
THE LAWALS
This is another great Ilorin family, blessed with prominent politicians and legal luminaries. A member of this family is former Governor of Kwara State, late Mohammed Lawal.
THE ADEBAYO SALAMIS
The Adebayo Salamis are very notable, one of them is Adebayo Salami, the popular actor a.k.a. Oga Bello, not forgetting Femi Adebayo, Tope Adebayo, and many more.
THE AKANBIS
This is another prominent Ilorin family that has Justice Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi, a former President of the Court of Appeal who headed the Nigerian Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). His son is also a successful lawyer who was a one time Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin branch.
THE LAAROS
This is another reputable family that has produced successful personnel. They are well known in Ilorin environs,one of them is Late Alhaji Usman Laaro and Alhaji Ayinla Laaro.
THE JIDDAHS
This is another very notable family in Ilorin. They are also blessed with successful offsprings, some of whom are prominent civil servants and politicians. Late Alhaji Amusa Jiddah was a popular godfather in Kwara State.
THE ATUNWAS
Abdulrazaq Atunwa, the present Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, who is also a successful politician, is from this family.
THE SOLIHUS
They are prominent Ilorin family, and they are blessed with successful children. One prominent member of the family is Imam Muhammed Bashir Solihu (OON), the Chief Imam of Ilorin. He was appointed in 1983, he leads the Jummat Prayer, and Eid Prayers.
THE BIBIRES
Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape, the present Senior Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor, Ahmed Abdulfattah on Political Matters hails from this family. They also have successful sons and daughters doing well in various fields.
THE SANNU SHEUS
The Sannu Sheus are very large Ilorin family. Sheikh Uthman Sannu Sheu is a relative of Sheikh Sayuti Jetemiodara of Ojagboro, Ilorin. He acquired knowledge from Sheikh Kamaldeen Al Adaby, which made him a renowned scholar who preaches across Ilorin and Nigeria as a whole.
THE SOLAGBERUS
They are also prominent, one of them is a former Chairman on Education Matters, they also produced notable politicians and businessmen.
THE GIWAS
This is another notable Ilorin family indeed. The family has produced technocrats and politicians of note.
THE OLODODOS
This is another very great Ilorin family that needs no introduction. Olododo, a politician per excellence is one of the notable members of this great Ilorin family.
THE KELANIS
This family is one of the biggest families in Ilorin and beyond, they have an endless list of successful children.
THE ALIAGANS
The Aliagans are one family that are well known in Ilorin environs, the popular On-Air personality and Islamic scholar, Alhaji Aliagan hails from this family.
THE DAIBUS
This is another great Ilorin family that is gifted with prominent politicians and legal luminaries. A member of this family, is a top shot in Kwara politics, Alhaji Lanre Daibu.
THE ALAAYAS
The Alaaya family is very popular in Kwara State. One of the heads of this family, was Sheikh Abdul Rafiu Alaaya.
THE OBAS
This is indeed another very prominent Ilorin family which has the present Governorship aspirant under the People Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Oba Abdulrahman.
THE ADISAS
The Adisas also hail from Ilorin, and they are blessed with resourceful children, home and abroad. Former military top bras, Gen. Abdulkareem Adisa hails from this family.
THE LAMBOS
This is a great Ilorin family that has successful legal practitioners as members. A Judge of the High Court is a member of the family.
THE MUSTAPHAS
This is another notable Ilorin family that has a very prominent legal luminary and academician. Among them is Honourable Moshood Mustapha and Akeem Mustapha.
THE OLOYINS
The Oloyins are very popular. One of them is the popular On-Air Personality, Alhaji Oloyin.
THE KANIKES
This is another very prominent Ilorin family, and Dr. Abubakar Kanike, a very notable politician is the head of the family.
THE MAJAS
This is another great Ilorin family,which has very prominent politician, Alhaji Sulieman Maja as a member.
THE SANUSIS
They are prominent Ilorin family that has successful children from different generations, some of them are resourceful politicians, among them is Alhaji Toyin Sanusi.
THE GOLDS
They are very prominent, one of them is the present Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Kwara State, and a one time Senatorial candidate, Alhaji Isiaka Gold.
GOBIR FAMILY
The Gobir are strong Islamic Scholars in Ilorin.
AKANBI ONIYANGI FAMILY
The Akanbi Oniyango family is also very popular in Ilorin. Abdul Azeez Yinka Oniyangi is the Son of a foremost Ilorin Medical Doctor. Dr Abubakar. His Son Abdulaziz owns Swift Air Ambulance Service
LAWAL FAMILY
This popular family has produced Kwara Governor. Late Muhammed Lawal is from Lawal family.
ADISA FAMILY
Ask within the Ilorin Emirates, you will be told that the list is not complete if General Adisa’s Family is not included. This Adisa family has produced Ministers and Governor. Former Governor Adisa who was once a minister.
KAMALDEEN FAMILY
This is the family of Muslim scholars. The late Sheik Almad Al-Adabbiy is from this family. He was the former Commissioner for Education.
BOLANTA FAMILY
That is the Compound of Ori Okoh Family. Former Oyo Commissioner, Rtd AIG Bolanta is from this family
OLA SAAD FAMILY
This family has produced the likes of former Chief of Staff and Former Defence Staff. Rear Admirer Ola Saad is from this family
BOLARINWAS FAMILY
That is the family of Kwara APC Chairman, Hon BOB, Hon Bashir Bolarinwa. He is a big politician.
Aluko Family, Alan Amusa Family, Ajikobi Family(Muslim Scoolar, Buhari Omo Musa Family), Laaro Family, Shomopes(they have produced many Big names in Navy, EFCC among others), are one of the big families from Ilorin.
