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Lamido Aliyu Musdafa: 54 Years on the Throne By Mohammed Zayyad In 1806, Modibbo Adama bin Ardo Hassana, a disciple of Othman Danfodio, founded the Fombina Emirate, which is today call Adamawa Emirate. Modibbo Adama bin Ardo Hassana was born in 1771 and ruled the Emirate from 1806 to 1847, he had 11 Sons and 4 Daughters; some of his Sons later ruled the Emirate. Lamido Muhammadu Lawal bin Adama who was born in 1797, was the second Lamido of Adamawa, he ruled the emirate for 25 years from 1847 to 1872, he died in 1872. The third Lamido was Lamido Umaru Sanda bin Adama, he ruled the emirate for 18 years from 1872 to 1890, and he died in 1890. The fourth Lamido was Lamido Zubeiru bin Adama, he ruled the emirate for only 3 years from 1890 to 1903, he died on 25th February 1903. The firth Lamido was Lamido Bobbo Ahmadu bin Adama who died in 1916. The sixth Lamido was Lamido Muhammad Yarima Iya Bin Sanda. The seventh Lamido was Lamido Muhammad Abba bin Bobbo Ahmadu he ruled the emirate for 14 years from 1910 to 1924, he died on 23rd August 1924. Eighth on the throng was Lamido Muhammad Bello bin Ahmadu, who died in 1928 after reigning for 4 years from 1924 to 1928. The ninth Lamido was Lamido Muhammad Mustafa bin Abba who ruled the emirate for 18 years, he was born in 1900 and died in 1946, and the tenth Lamido was Lamido Yarima Ahmadu bi Muhammad Bello he rules for 7 years from 1946 to 1953. Born in 1922, Dr Aliyu Musdafa was turbaned as the 11th Lamido of Adamawa on 26th July 1953; he received the staff of office from Governor Sir Bryan Sherwood - Smith of the British colonial Administration. Nearly two centuries after the creation of Adamawa Emirate, tremendous changes have occurred in the Emirate’s landmass; at inception the emirate comprises northern part of the Republic of Cameroon, Southern part of former Borno State and the present Taraba State. Today, the Emirate is still strong and virile under the purposeful leadership of Dr. Aliyu Musdafa. Dr Aliyu Musdafa a direct decedent of Modibbo Adama, and a product of Othman Danfodio Islamic jihad, has remain a spiritual and Islamic leader by nature and father of all by socialization, from the ordinary man on the street, to the elites, he is referred to as BABA, (father). During the past five decades, he has steered Adamawa emirate from its rural set-up to a pinnacle of modernization, he has extended his hands beyond the border of Islam, and he is maintaining a balance between Muslims and Christians in his domain. Today Adamawa State has traditional titleholders from diverse ethnic, religious, educational and social background. Topmost among them are: former vice president Atiku Abubakar (Turakin Adamawa), Admiral Murtala Nyako the current Governor of Adamawa state (Sarkin Yakin Gabas), former Inspector General of Police Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta (Dan Lawan Adamawa), former Nigeria Ambassador to the US Hassan Adamu (Wakilin Adamawa), Alh. Bamanga Tukur (Tafidan Adamawa), Mr. Zira Maigadi MD African Petroleum Plc (Walin Michika) Alh. Dahiru Bobbo (Dan Madamin Adamawa), and Col. Bitrus Sawa ( Masanin Adamawa) etc. The Lamido has exhibited the character of a Statesman, having created love and compassion within his domain; this is a man that loves his people and his people love him. As it was attested by a prominent member in the inner caucus of Adamawa Emirate, Alh Jamilu Lamido ( chukalin Adamawa) who said: “ I have the pleasure of being exceptionally close to the Lamido and a Witness to the effort of the Lamido in serving his people conscientiously with dedication, fairness and impartiality”. At age 85, Dr. Aliyu Musdafa is an exemplary leaders, his old age does not deters him from attending his farms at Yola, Girei, Ngurore, Mandere and Bole. He has helped in preserving the culture and traditions of Adamawa people, and also embraced modernization; the Lamido’s palace is today a modern edifice and also houses the Fombina museum; where all historical monuments of the emirate are on display, and the historic Modibbo Adama mosque beautifully reconstructed. His leadership and record as one among the longest serving emirs in Nigeria, has help in ushering a new era in Adamawa state and Nigeria as a whole. Dr. Aliyu Musdafa is a true Nigerian and one who believes in Nigeria. The Lamido, together with Alh Ado Bayaro the Emir of Kano, Alh. Bashir Usman the Emir of Katsina had served with devotion the old Northern-Nigeria native police popularly called Dan-Doka. One may wish, politicians, the traditional class and the common man, can emulate the policy of the Lamido, his philosophy of non-discrimination, dialogue and entrenchment of peace, love and honesty, which are the whole marks that makes the Lamido so much treasured and cherished by his people for the 54 years that he has been the Lamido of Adamawa.
Zayyad I. Muhammad
Writes from Jimeta, Nigeria
,zaymohd@ yahoo.com
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