Emirate of Adamawa
Before it became a state in Nigeria Adamawa was a subordinate kingdom of the Sultanate of Sokoto which also included much of northern Cameroon. The rulers bear the title of Emir (Lamido in the local language, Fulfulde). The name "Adamawa" came from the founder of the kingdom, Modibbo Adama, a regional leader of the Fulani Jihad organized by Usumaanu dan Fodio of Sokoto in 1804.
Modibbo Adama came from the region of Gurin (now just a small village) and in 1806 received a green flag for leading the jihad in his native country. In the following years Adama conquered many lands and tribes. In 1838 he moved his capital to Ribadu, and in 1839 to Joboliwo. In 1841 he founded Yola where he died in 1848. After the European colonization (first by Germany and then by Britain) the rulers remained as Emirs, and the line of succession has continued to the present day.
Amirs of Yola have included:
- Modibbo Adama ben Hassan 1809-1848
- Lawalu ben Adama 1848-1872 (son of the previous)
- Sanda ben Adama 1872-1890 (brother of the previous)
- Zubayru ben Adama 1890-1901 (brother of the previous)
- Bibbo Ahmadu ben Adama 1901-1909 (brother of the previous)
- Iya ben Sanda 1909-1910 (son of Sanda ben Adama)
- Muhammadu Abba 1910-1924 (son of Bobbo Ahmadu ben Adama)
- Muhammadu Bello ben Ahmadu ben Hamidu ben Adamu 1924-1928
- Mustafa ben Muhammadu Abba 1928-1946 (son of Muhammadu Abba)
- Ahmadu ben Muhammadu Bello 1946-1953
- Aliyu Mustafa 1953- 2010
- Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa incumbent (son of the previous)
for more information and details visit http://www.adamawaemirate.org/