By Great Kay
Every 3rd of February is a very special day with many reasons to smile and be happy because it commemorates the day the world was gifted with a remarkable being, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, CON, the Tafida of Ilorin.
Of everything that defines Alh. Kawu Baraje, he is first a teacher, there again, his outstanding career as an administrator and astute politician. Above all, a great philanthropist whose philanthropic gestures extensively cut across Ilorin, its environs and Nigeria at large.
Alh. Baraje is a thorough-bred Ilorin man and the second holder of the title “Tafida nGeri”, which became vacant in the year 2021. For this appointment, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, CFR, couldn’t have found a perfect man to fill in one of the most revered titles in the Emirate first created by the 9th Emir of Ilorin, Shaykh Sulu Gambari.
The current chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reconciliation and Engagement Committee in Kwara State, has spent most of his amazing career working in his country-home building and investing in different capacities; as it stands today, he is the first and only son of Ilorin Emirate, so far, who will emerge as the Chairman of a national ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), between 2011 and 2012.
To his credit, as someone who is committed to human capacity developments, he founded the Baraje Center for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ilorin, a tuition and transportation – free school, for the advancement and widespread of Islamic teachings and ideals; he is equally the Chairman Baraje foundation, the foundation that places students on different scholarship opportunities from undergraduate up to PhD levels both in western and Arabic education and thus provides financial supports for the downtrodden.
The exemplary leadership and philanthropic spirit of Alhaji Baraje to the progress of Ilorin Emirate can’t be looked over, considering the number of Ilorin indigenes who passed through him not only as a teacher but also facilitated job and career progression beneficiaries.
By hardwork and diligence, Alhaji Baraje, CON, has cast a niche for himself as the only national honour awardee from among the eight recent chieftaincy appointees by the Emir of Ilorin. Like the title he holds, “Tafida”, an “important figure”, he has not only proven to be the son of the soil but a distinctive element in the soil.
As our very own Tafida nGeri marks his 72nd birthday today, I pray that the Almighty Allah (SWT) will grant him a longer, happier, healthier and wealthier life, Amin.
Wishes from Greatkay.