The title-holders are appointed by the Lamido as officials of the Emirate Council and conferred with honorary titles in recognition of their contributions to the development of the emirate. While most titles are inherited, the title-holders, generally, must have made their mark in various endeavours such as politics, government, business, military or police, academic or in any way in the service of the Lamido. Wherever they may reside or work, the title-holders are seen as and expected to be worthy ambassadors of Adamawa Emirate. No female personality is yet to hold any title. But Col. Andrawus Sawa (ret), Masani Adamawa, is the first Christian to be conferred with a title.
In the 1950s and 1960s, title holders appointed by Lamido Aliyu Musdafa were either councillors in the Adamawa NA or district heads. For example, the 21-member council headed by Lamido Aliyu Musdafa in 1956 had, apart from the Waziri and Galadima, four councillors with titles of Turaki, Madaki, Tafida and Wali. Hassan Yola (Turaki), was a member of the House of Representatives and Councillor for Education and Adult Literacy; he contributed to the formulation of new education policies and establishment of new schools. Idris (Tafida) played a prominent role in the political and social development of Chubunawa as district head for fifteen years. He made giant strides as Councillor for Agriculture, Forestry and Animal Husbandry; and later in Police and Prison Affairs. Bello Malabu (Madaki), was a member of House of Representatives and strongman in the affairs of the council. Muhammadu Dahiru (Wali) discharged with impartiality judicial affairs of the Native Authority. The only district head ( of Malabu) in the NA Council was Mallam Ahmadu who retired in 1954 and was succeeded by his eldest son and scribe, Yerima Hammawa.
Ibrahim Demsa (Dan lya) remains in the emirate's records as an educationist and one of the early teachers in its history. He was appointed district head of Verre in 1954 and is acknowledged for bringing down the Verre people from the hills to take up farming, trading and other productive activities. In 1959, following the removal of Ahmadu Waziri as district head of Mubi, Ibrahim Demsa was sent in acting capacity and later confirmed as the new district head. He was replaced in Verre District by another hard-working personality in acting capacity, Mallam Umaru (Wambai). Adamu Bawuro Musdafa (Makama Doka) was the Chief of Police with tremendous experience in NA administration having served in various capacities before succeeding his elder brother, Aliyu Musdafa. In 1960, Adamu Bawuro was appointed district head of Yola with the prestigious title of Yerima. Buba Vokna, in succeeding the Santuraki as NA, Councillor for Police and Prisons, was turbaned by Lamido Aliyu Musdafa as Dan Madami Adamawa.
The conferment of traditional titles, according to Lamido Aliyu Musdafa, “is entrusting leadership unto capable and trustworthy personalities who are committed to reviving and developing the culture and heritage of Adamawa.” Lamido Aliyu Musdafa believes that the number of people seeking for traditional titles is a testimony of the respect the institution has which further indicates increasing respect for tradition not only in Adamawa, but all over the country. |
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On the occasion of the turbanning ceremony of Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa as Chiroma Adamawa in May 1980 in Yola, the Lamido pointed out: “Differences between our people and the diversity in our ethnicity and religion have not stifled the development of culture and heritage which clearly shows that the Nigerian is proud of his/her traditional belonging. In every nook and corner, you can see the educated, those in business, politics and in government being turbanned with titles.”
At the turbanning of Turaki Adamawa and Dan Madami Adamawa on November 19, 1982, the Lamido said the conferment on Atiku Abubakar (who was Assistant Director of Customs and Excise Department) and Ali Baba (Minister of Internal Affairs),respectively, was in recognition of their contributions to the development of the community and the nation in general. “We, therefore, honour them with these titles to pay back what they did for us, for they are glorious sons of Adamawa and they deserve it.”
Historically, traditional titles in the 19th century Adamawa were conferred on officials in the service of the Lamido who were given specific functions and responsibilities. However, at the inception of the emirate system, Modibbo Adama rewarded his closest friends and advisers not with titles, but his daughters whom he gave out in marriage to them. His eldest daughter, Adda Gurin was married to Modibbo Hamman Song, Hauwa'u was married to Ardo Dembo of Malabu and Fadimatu Yaya was married to Alkasum, a warrior and former student of Modibbo Adama. These marriage alliances with the high ranking officials ( who saw him as a father-in-law) strengthened Modibbo Adama's position as an emir.
Modibbo Adama borrowed the titles of Kaigama and Galadima from Borno Empire because at that time the Fulbe had limited terminology with which to designate the offices. Modibbo Adama had an attachment to Borno because of his scholarship there. He also borrowed the title of Yerima from Borno.
Modibbo Adama's successor, Lamido Lauwal, too, borrowed titles not only from Borno but from other older emirates in Hausa land. For instance, Ajiya was the custodian of wealth; Shamaki was the supervisor of the Lamido's estate and farm provisions. Other titles such as Baraya, Majidadi, Sarkin Gobir, Magaji, Adar and Mai Kanoma were created to cover some inadequacies in the administrative structure. Lauwal borrowed more titles from Hausa emirates due to increasing ties with them. |
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During Lamido Sanda's reign the number of titles borrowed from outside increased. Thus, the emirate government expanded and almost equalled those of the other emirates in the Sokoto Caliphate. Hence, the Lamido's council got the opportunity of including huge numbers of scholars, royal members and leaders of the immigrant community in Yola. These community leaders included Lamdo Kebbi, Lamdo Kano, Lamdo Katagum, Lamdo Zamfara, Lamdo Katsina, Magaji Adar and Mai Borno. Lamido Sanda put more officials in the cabinet such as Sarkin Shanu, in-charge of pastoral nomadic Fulbe and collection and distribution of the zakkat tax. The Magaji was appointed and put in-charge of allocation of land in Yola District and to represent the Bata people in the government and to win their support. More and more officials were appointed by subsequent Lamibe into the government with titles of Hausa origin. Officials appointed for specific duties in commerce included Sarkin Karo (for the collection of caravan tolls), Sarkin Kasuwa (market chief) Sarkin Dillalai (chief hawker), and Sarkin Pawa (chief butcher) who was appointed by Sarkin Kasuwa. In recent history, Lamido Aliyu Musdafa introduced titles such as Sa'i, Fagaci, Dan Maje, Dan Isa, Katuka, Masani, Dan Madami, Dan Masani, Talba and Dan Amar to mention a few.
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