32 Facts About Modibo Adama

Modibo Adama led a jihad into the region of Fombina and established the emirate of Fombina, known as Adamawa.

Modibbo Modibo Adama received a flag from Shehu Usman dan Fodio to lead a jihad in Fombina during the Sokoto revolution.

Modibo Adama's upbringing was deeply rooted in Islam, as his father, a Muslim, provided him with religious education until he was eleven years old.

Under the tutelage of Shehu Muhammad Tahir in Baghirmi, Modibo Adama's focus was primarily on studying the Quran.

Modibo Adama later moved to Birnin Ngazargamo, the capital of the Bornu empire, where he sought guidance from the renowned scholar Mallam Kiari.

Modibo Adama immersed himself in his studies under Kiari's guidance for about a decade, absorbing a wide range of Islamic teachings and principles.

Modibo Adama left Wuro Chekke not long after receiving the news and joined the Ba'en Fulbe in the Faro valley.

Modibbo Modibo Adama was chosen to lead this delegation as he was seen as a learned man who was neutral among the Ardo'en and had no desire for political power nor interest in politics.

The reason for Uthman's decision to pick Modibo Adama, according to a manuscript dated March 1809 in Yola, was:.

Shehu Usman's instructions to Modibbo Modibo Adama were comprehensive and far-reaching.

Modibo Adama directed Adama to propagate Islam across the Fombina region and to distribute jihad flags among the various Ardo'en to carry out the mission of spreading the faith among the Fulbe and pagan peoples.

Modibo Adama's role extended beyond local leadership; he was designated as a liaison between the Ardo'en and the central authority in Sokoto.

Usman believed that the Mahdi would emerge from the east and urged Modibo Adama to be vigilant for signs of his appearance.

Modibo Adama immediately began recruiting Fulani and Hausa volunteers and mercenaries.

Modibo Adama forbade them to pillage or to kill indiscriminately, but enemy nations were given two choices: convert to Islam or become a tributary state.

Modibo Adama then led his forces in a series of strikes on Bata settlements such as Pema, Tepa, and Turuwa.

Modibbo Modibo Adama's force continued their battles against Bata and Lala peoples as far as the Gongola River, where he met the Lamido of Gombe, Buba Yero.

Modibo Adama created a new position for their leaders: The lamido, who was the leader of a particular territory, as opposed to an ardo, leader of a particular people.

Modibo Adama turned his attentions on the only major state in Fumbina that could present a threat to his fledgling emirate: Mandara.

Modibo Adama reached Guringa in 1809 with a large army in good morale.

Modibo Adama quickly conquered the Mandara settlement at Guider and headed north, taking several more villages along the way.

Outside of the Mandara capital, Dulo, Modibo Adama demanded that the king, Bukar Djiama, swear his allegiance and convert to Islam untainted with paganism.

Modibo Adama searched for someone to rule the settlement, but he found no one whom he felt adequate for the post.

Nevertheless, Modibo Adama lived in relatively moderate surroundings and never acquired great wealth.

From Yola, Modibo Adama began the administrative tasks necessary for his nascent state.

Modibo Adama did this with Usman's advice; he was to foster understanding between his people and their governors, facilitate communication between elders and their subordinates, and prevent the stratification of society based on class or wealth.

At the centre was the emir al-Mu'minin, Modibo Adama himself, ruling from Yola and answering only to Usman dan Fodio in Sokoto.

Modibo Adama then sent prisoners from the battle to Adama as a gift.

Modibo Adama died in 1847 and was laid to rest at Yola.

Some traditions in Yola claim that Modibo Adama excluded all descendants of Yasebo from the succession due to their strained relationship.

Modibo Adama was known for his ascetic lifestyle, reportedly sometimes going an entire week without eating.

Hugh Clapperton, a British explorer, described witnessing a meeting between the Caliph of Sokoto Muhammad Bello, and the various emirs of the Caliphate, noting that Modibo Adama was the most modestly dressed among them.