User:Jamiu Muhammad/sandbox

Oba Momodu of Agbede
Oba Momodu was born in the later part of 19 century around 1870. He was the Son of Ogie Emokpare. Momodu (a Nupe variation for Muhammad, the name of the last Islamic Prophet pbuh)'s native name is Akhigbe. A name depicting one of his parental origin. His mother was an Esan woman of Idoa origin. While his father was Agbede.

The name loosely translates as indestructible or undefeatable.

At a very young age, Oba Momodu did so much Sajda (Prostration) at appropriate times of prayers(worship). This was a cause for concern for his parents.

They eventually downplayed it as a child’s method of playing. Unknowingly to them, the little child was observing his fitrah (natural state of inclination).

When Muslims of Nupe visited Agbede, King Emokpare was awed by their organized lifestyle and methods of dealing with things. He sent his son, Akhigbe (Momodu) to the royal court of the etsu to learn about methods of Administration & its dynamics.

Language Skills
It is said that Oba Momodu of Agbede could speak northern languages including Arabic and English. That all he needed to do was to hear one speak and he will continue with him in conversation. It does seem that his gift for languages was sharpened at the royal court of etsu in Bida emirate.

He may have been able to speak these languages because he learnt them while in the land of Nupes. English on the other hand, was probably learnt while he was in that area (because the europeans had already started visiting the Nupe empire) and in Agbede during his rule, several europeans who were Colonialists visited him. Even Northoncote W. Thomas the anthropologist, visited him and took his famous photographs. His knowledge of languages may have been acquired and not what comes as a special gift of hearing & then, speaking. Though, it could also be the later.

The Obaship
At the return from Nupe empire, he came with Islam. This is probably why the Agbede chroniclers maintain that he brought islam to Edo and South south.

When his father, Emokpare passed on, he was turbanned as the new king of Agbede. Simply called, Oba Momodu of Agbede.

But there are some unconfirmed reports that his father, Emokpare was the first to use the term Oba. In other words, Emokpare was the first Oba of Agbede Ayuele.

The throne, whoever ascends it, becomes the leader of all clans of Ayuele (also called Agbede villages or towns in modern times for the developed areas like Ughiolli).

The hegemony of Agbede was said to extend to neighboring Idoa in Esan country.

Spread of Islam
When Akhigbe later Momodu became Oba of Agbede Ayuele clan, he made Islam the state religion. After then, he started to train Muslim scholars for Islamic dawah (Islamic missionary work).

He was known to have made several trips to Bida emirate to meet the etsu and bring along with him several things of overwhelming significance. Chief among these things were Nupe, Hausa, Yoruba (and may be Fulani) Muslim  Scholars to Agbede Ayuele country to help him standardized the understanding of islam and then spread islam to other areas.

After spreading islam thoroughly in Agbede Ayuele country, Oba Momodu of Agbede sent Muslim scholars to the three Etsako, the two Owans and Akoko Edo.

He also sent Muslim scholars to different Esan country and Benin empire.

In His Shadow
His influence was so much that the chroniclers of history and history of islam in present day Edo in Agbede – Ayuele country hardly remember to write down the impacts of other Oba of Agbede after him. For example, Oba Abdullahi also sent ulamas to different places. In fact, he was known to take with him scholars from Nupe country. He was equally known for reaching out to kings to convert to Islam. Oliola Ugbodagha of uneme entered Islam through him.

The Wikipedia entry on Islam in Edo State will provide much more understanding of Islam and its spread in this part of the world