There is a widely known street called Oke Sunnah (Mount of Sunnah) in Ilorin. An ancient Street in the blessed city of Garin Aalimi. It was reportedly dominated by Muslims before the arrival of the great Mujahid, Sheikh Alimi. The first settler of the area was said to be the renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Solagberu together with his students. A trader cum preacher.
Ile Katibi is another aged-long compound in the city. This household name was derived from the Arabic word Kātib (A writer) Till today, the compound is known for its unmatched uniqueness in Quran memorization. No Drug, No Drum-beating and the like are the inscriptions etched at the entrance gate of this house. These among others should give a glimpse of what Ilorin is to any brand.
That Ilorin is Ilu Awon Alfa (Home of Islamic Scholars) is not a debatable ascription. Even though I believe it is grossly overrated to say the city is closer to Jannah. I still hold that the appellation is not accidental. They are a product of the longtime maintenance of Islamic teachings. Some of these teachings have transformed into a culture which makes the city stand tall among the Yoruba Speaking cities. This even the critics can’t deny. This informs why the city can boast of not having a single liquor shop in the core part of Its branches. Take a tour round Gambari, Okelele, Alore, Pakata, Ita Merin, Oke Sunnah, Ita Kudima, Adeta, Ologe, Ode Kamali, Adangba, Omoda, Agbaji, Oke Kura, Oja Oba, Kuntu, Adabata and see the beauty that lies in the liquor-free environment. This is one of the sustained legacies of our town.
Undoubtedly, there is a line of dichotomy between the Ilorin of today and yesteryears. It happens everywhere and Ilorin is not immune to this. The extreme lover of the city may not want to admit but it is an open secret that the values and heritage of the city are getting swindled by the chefs among our grains. The Dahiri of Ilorin is not left out of this. So, It’s a counterproductive argument to isolate the Ilorites from the culprit of the growing trend. Even though it doesn’t represent us, we need to admit that many things are going wrong with us to know the way forward. Concealing this malady under the guise of past glory will not augur well for our dear Emirate.
Liquor stores are unbelievably increasing in the city. The patronage is significantly complementing the growing stores. After all, Beer is not brewed for dogs. Nor do thousands of bottle milking itself dry. Both Ilorites and non-Ilorites alike are the invisible hands behind the empty bottles. Even though it hasn’t gotten to the core areas of Ilorin, some of the residents of these areas are regular patrons of these ungodly parlours. Public display of these commodities use to be sacrilegious until recently when the business gets a heightening momentum. Trucks of these alcoholic drinks are getting their way to the city at regular intervals. The sachet package has made it so easy, that you can easily see the remnants of the empty sachet everywhere in the city. Strange right? That’s the new mess we are into.
The audacious advert that put Ilorin in the court of public opinion might not be entirely free from Femi Adebayo’s ambassadorship. But that won’t have been possible without the aid of the silent ambassadors who take pride in the number of the unsealed bottle. And the young Jalabist who coded it ماء for the fear of public notice. These are the real ambassadors of beer who gave the brand the audacity to bring Ilorin into the picture. It might not be a big deal for others but it is a matter of great concern for a city like ours that prides itself as an ambassador of Islam. That people came out in massive to express their displeasure over the advert shows that we are not too far from our customs and value. This a pointer that we can do better in other social vices that are gaining ground.
Even though the advert has been reportedly removed, it’s an indication that we are taking the liquor drinking with levity hand. The billboard is nothing but a certification of what the sage, Sir. Lawal Olohungbebe called overindulgence and deflating religiosity.
It’s high time the emirate stands to the occasion and does everything within the armpit of law to address the situation. Religious leaders at all levels should remind our people of the harsh punishment for the one who drinks, promotes, aid or even gives out shops for liquor sellers. We can’t stop it but we can lessen it so that the generation to come will not take pride in unsealing crates of alcoholic drinks!
May Allah safeguard our Emirate, Kwara and Nigeria at large!
(Aameen)
Written By: Ibn Solih Ridwanullah
Published By: Sociallogia Team
Email: Sociallogiateam@gmail.com
Social Realities 