Historical Life and Times Of Chief Imaam Mustafaa Kasumu Ekemode (13th June, 1898 – 14th September, 1972). The first pioneer Imaam and Missioner of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria. Late Alhaj Imaam Mustafaa Kasumu Ekemode fondly called Missioner, was from the famous Kasumu Ekemode Descendant family of Lagos Island. He was one of the children of Alfa Kasumu Ekemode, the Progenitor of the Ekemode Descendants family of Lagos Island. The Islamic pedigree, exhibited in Ekemode’s clan, has its foundation in the history of its progenitor Alfa Kasumu Ekemode around Idita, Lagos in 1841.

Alfa Kasumu Ekemode became an illustrious Arabic Scholar, a Quranic Teacher, and for many years, the Olori Tafsiir (Head Preacher) of the then Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island, Lagos State. He died intestate during the reign of Oba Esugbayi Eleko on 23rd January, 1920 leaving behind many children among whom was, Alhaj Mustafaa Kasumu Ekemode.

The Progenitor of the Ekemodes of Lagos was in his life time’s devout Muslim, a widely acknowledged Islamic Scholar, a renowned Head of Quranic Expositor/Erudite, Head preacher/the Alfa Oniwassi Agba, an Executive member of the Lagos Central Mosque, one of the first twenty (20) Constitutional members of the Lagos Central Mosque and a well celebrated Lagos community leader.

Imaam Mustafaa Kasumu Ekemode, was born in Idita, Offin area, Olowogbowo sector of Lagos on 13th June, 1898. He was from a humble family of stern Islamic religious background. His father was Alfa Tafsiir Kasumu Ekemode, his mother was Madam Hadiza ‘Layi Ekemode alias Iya Eleko.

Usually with the wishes of Muslim parents in yester-years, Mustafaa Kasumu Ekemode started his early Quranic leadership role in the Local Muslim Community of Lagos, at the Central Mosque in particular. He was an apple of the same pod with his father. At the age of Six under his father he had already learnt the whole 60 Chapters of the Holy Qur’an. He enrolled from 1911-1914 at the then Government Primary Muslim School, Onola, Isale-gangan, Lagos and Eko Boys High School, Lagos, 1914-1917. After the completion of his secondary education at Eko Boys High School under the Principal Reverend Euba, his father enrolled him for an advanced theological studies under the tutorship of the famous Alfa Haruna of Oke Gege, Ibadan in present Oyo State, Nigeria who later became the Chief Imaam of Ibadan. The Quranic Training lasted four (4) years and he graduated in 1920 at the Arabic school in Ibadan and returned to Lagos to start a new life.

It is pertinent to note that while at Ibadan, young Mustafaa Ekemode wanted to further his Western Education but failed in all attempts. He made personal efforts to enrol at Saint Andrew Teacher Training College, Oyo by trekking from Ibadan to Oyo but failed to secure admission into the college.

He returned to Lagos and settled for a working career at different times as produce buying clerk, as a Cashier, Sales clerk, Storekeeper and Islamic broadcaster in notable organisations including Patterson and Zochonis (PZ), United African Company (UAC) and Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), now Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

Imaam Mustafaa was appointed the Head of Muslim Broadcasting at Marina but later moved to Ikoyi. During his tenure he did lots of tremendous change many into Islam. Imaam Ekemode, through his bosom friend Alhaj Buniyamin Gbajabiamila, the grand father of Rt. Hon. Abdul Hakeem Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, enrolled in Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, division II in 1925 and worked hard to become a dynamic and devoted member. He served in many key-posts as: 1927-1932; Assistant General Secretary; 1927-1935: Secretary Mission Board 1936: Divisional Secretary; 1939-1940: Vice-President, Pioneer, National Missioner and Pioneer Chief Imaam, particular Friday Juma’at service. He engaged top Islamic cleric in Islam broadcasting (Males and Females).

He performed the holy pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah in 1957 and changed his pattern of life in 1963, to become full time Chief Imaam in 1963. He later attended a special Imaamship course in Cairo, Egypt under the auspices of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt in 1964.

He pioneered the hardship of missionary work, this made him very popular in Islamic World and established him as a great Islamic leader of the society to where public transport was not available and he travelled to many towns in the Northern, Eastern and Western parts of Nigeria. Efficiency and charm really helped him in life. He had great great affection affection for Islam and Muslim children.

His style of lecture and pattern of life changed positively in 1963, when he become full-time Chief Imaam.

He endured the hardship of missionary work as he inaugurated many branches of the society; riding bicycles in the early days of the Society to where public transport was not available and he travelled to many towns in the Northern, Eastern and Western parts of Nigeria. Efficiency and Du’aau really helped him in life. He had great affection for Islam and Muslim children. He adopted many Muslim children from different parts of Nigeria; who lived with him till death. Amongst such kids were, Alhaj Femi Okunnu (SAN), Alhaj Abubakar Shaba, Alhaj Shakiru Alaka, Engr. Mustafaa Shekoni, Professor. Muiz Durosinmi and Bamidele Thomas.

Apart from leading Salaat-ul-Juma’at services and religious public functions of the Society, he was also in attendance at public institutions like, King’s College, Lagos to impart Islamic way of life to the young Muslims such as late Alhaj B.O. Onisarotu and others. Aside he had various appointments in committees and boards of the society. He was also a group leader of the House to House sales of charity badges, ram skin collection among others. He raised many funds for the Society.

In his life time, Imaam Ekemode was known to have kept the following three principles for which he loved to be remembered: The fear of Allah: He warned that religious leaders should see themselves as custodians of the material land spiritual well-being of their flock (members). Youths should be imbibed with the true spirit of Islam: He always advised that Muslim children should be placed on the parts of Allah right from childhood. He laid great emphases on education of Muslim children. Crazy Acquisition of Wealth: he always preached that Muslims should steer clear of the “Persian Luxury“, which he led people of past generations to predation.

Chief Imaam Ekemode could be regarded as a man of Allah; man of peace; Great Arabic Scholar and Erudite Muslim preacher of international repute. For more than two decades, he was actively connected with many police decisions in Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, more so, with initiation and execution of its missionary works, until 1972, when he passed to the great beyond. He was succeeded by the late Fadeelat-ush-Shaykh Alli Arazim Alaaya Al-Ilory Al-Jejewwy.

He lived a delighted simple life which today is a beacon. Also, he used the radio medium in Nigeria to unite the Muslims and Christians. His Friday Juma’at service in radio was an outstanding and classical acceptance to all. He did an evergreen audio works that stood the test of time. Such works included his recitation of Suurat Rahmaan, Suurat Yaasin, and the call to Juma’at. He was blessed with the following five Children namely: Alhaj Chief Dr Na’eem Adesina Ekemode, Alhajja (Mrs) Safurat Olukemi Odumosu, Alhajja Suruurah Morayo Ekemode, Alhajja Chief Rafqah Folakunbi Pampam and Hajia Mrs. Hamda llah Sulayman.

Allah Akbar!!! He died on 14th September, 1972 and buried at Okesuna Cemetery, Lafiaji, Lagos.

May Allah forgive all his sins and grant him Jannah, Aameen.

Related:

The Nigerian Mosque: Lagos Central Mosque

Editors’ Picks

Apalara Murder Mystery: Alfa Bisiriyu Apalara (1918-1953) | Hon Femi Kehinde

Hajj: The Journey Of A Lifetime, A New book by Hafiz Akinde

Bama Cap: A West African Artistic Marvel

DONATE

For Advert Inquiries
Tele/+234 7036309859
E-mail: themuslimvoiceng@gmail.com

For News/Article
E-mail: themuslimvoiceng@gmail.com