Lapai Emirate
Encyclopedia
The Lapai Emirate, today in Nigeria
, is a traditional state that lies near the Gurara River, a tributary to the Niger River
, and was originally inhabited by the Gbari people, covering roughly the same area as the modern Lapai
local government area.
In the 1790s the Nupe Kingdom was a rising power in the region and had taken Lapai from Oyo
. However, with the onslaught of the Fulani Jihad their lands, including Lapai, were conquered by the Sokoto Caliphate.
The people of the region became subject to the Hausa kingdom of Zazzau
. After 1804 they came under the Fulani emirate of Zaria
, part of the realm of the emir of Gwandu
. The Lapai emirate was separated from the emirates of Zaria and Agaie
in 1825.
The emirate was founded in 1828 when Mallam Baba sent his Lieutenant Daudu Muza to subjugate the area. Daudu was successful, but kept the land for himself.
The emirate remained a tributary to the Gwandu
emirate until 1903, when the British took control.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, is a traditional state that lies near the Gurara River, a tributary to the Niger River
Niger River
The Niger River is the principal river of western Africa, extending about . Its drainage basin is in area. Its source is in the Guinea Highlands in southeastern Guinea...
, and was originally inhabited by the Gbari people, covering roughly the same area as the modern Lapai
Lapai
Lapai is a Local Government Area in Niger State, Nigeria, adjoining the Federal Capital Territory. Its headquarters are in the town of Lapai on the A124 highway in the west of the area at....
local government area.
In the 1790s the Nupe Kingdom was a rising power in the region and had taken Lapai from Oyo
Oyo Empire
The Oyo Empire was a Yoruba empire of what is today southwestern Nigeria. The empire was established before the 14th century and grew to become one of the largest West African states encountered by European explorers. It rose to preeminence through its possession of a powerful cavalry and wealth...
. However, with the onslaught of the Fulani Jihad their lands, including Lapai, were conquered by the Sokoto Caliphate.
The people of the region became subject to the Hausa kingdom of Zazzau
Zazzau
The Zazzau, also known as the Zaria Emirate is a traditional state with headquarters in the city of Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.As of 2010 the emir was Alhaji Muhammad Bello Idris.-Early Hausa kingdom:...
. After 1804 they came under the Fulani emirate of Zaria
Zaria
Zaria may refer to:*Zaria, a city in Kaduna State, Nigeria*Zaria , or Zoria, the Slavic goddess of beauty*Countess Zaria of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg, a member of the Dutch royal family...
, part of the realm of the emir of Gwandu
Gwandu
Gwandu, also called Gando, is a town and emirate in Kebbi State, Nigeria. The seat of government for the emirate and district of this name is in Birnin Kebbi, which is the capital of Kebbi State and was capital of the historical Kingdom of Kebbi...
. The Lapai emirate was separated from the emirates of Zaria and Agaie
Agaie Emirate
The Agaie Emirate was a state created by Malam Baba, a Fulani warrior who conquered the Nupe people of the area in 1822.It was based around the present town of Agaie in Niger State, Nigeria, and was subject to the Sokoto Caliphate....
in 1825.
The emirate was founded in 1828 when Mallam Baba sent his Lieutenant Daudu Muza to subjugate the area. Daudu was successful, but kept the land for himself.
The emirate remained a tributary to the Gwandu
Gwandu
Gwandu, also called Gando, is a town and emirate in Kebbi State, Nigeria. The seat of government for the emirate and district of this name is in Birnin Kebbi, which is the capital of Kebbi State and was capital of the historical Kingdom of Kebbi...
emirate until 1903, when the British took control.
Rulers
The emirate remains in existence, although it was subject first to British colonial rule and later to civilian or military rule of the independent state of Nigeria. Emirs were:- Da'udu Maza dan Jaura (1825 - 1832)
- Yamuza dan Jaura (1832 - 1835)
- Baji dan Jaura (1835 - 1838)
- Jantabu dan Jaura (1838 - 1874)
- `Atiqu dan Jantabu (1874 - 1875)
- Bawa dan Jantabu (1875 - 1893)
- `Abd al-Qadiri dan (1893 - 1907)
- Ibrahim dan Jantabu (1907 - 1923)
- `Aliyu Gana dan `Abd al-Qadiri (1923 - Apr 1937)
- `Umaru dan Ibrahim (1937 - Nov 1954)
- Muhammadu Kobo dan `Aliyu Gana (1954 - 13 Jun 2002)
- Umaru Bago TafidaUmaru Bago TafidaAlhaji Umaru Bago Tafida III became 12th Emir, or traditional ruler of Lapai in Niger State, Nigeria in July 2002, at the age of 48.He succeeded Emir Alhaji Muhammadu Kobo, who died at the age of 92 after ruling for 48 years, and was appointed to the stool by the Niger State governor Abdulkadir...
(10 Aug 2002)