By Bukola Hameed
The practice of selecting imam in Pakoyi Central Mosque, Oyo, was on inheritance basis untill 1936 when Alfa AnakaLlahu selected Alfa Tomori, who was not in the lineage of Alfa Ahmadu from Ilorin.
Hence, the first imam of Pakoyi was Alfa Ahmadu from Ilorin who settled in Kaa Alfa in 1901. He ruled for 25 years and died in 1926 after a brief illness.
The second Imam, his eldest son, Alfa AnakaLlahu succeeded him. He held the position for ten years. He died in 1937.
Alfa Tomori of Okegbo Compound succeeded Alfa AnakaLlahu as the third imam of Pakoyi central mosque. He held the position for 13 years, [1937—-1946].
In 1947, Alfa AnakaLlahu’s Arabic student, Alfa Tukur, succeeded Alfa Tomori as the fourth imam. Imam Tukur from Arin-ile Pakoyi died in 1956. He reigned from [1947—1956].
The fifth imam of Pakoyi central mosque was Alfa Sufyan of Kaa Elesin. Imam Sufyan died in 1962. He led Muslim faithful for ten years; [1956—-1962].
In 1962, another knowledgeable person was selected as the new imam of Pakoyi central mosque. He was Alfa Sufyan of Ori-Afara compound, the sixth imam. He led prayers from 1962—-1966.
The seventh Imam was Alhaji AbdulSalaam Omooba, who was selected by Alaafin Bello Gbadegesin. He performed hajj in 1968. Okunrin Ogun, as was fondly called for his bravery, died in 1973. He reigned for seven years, from [1966—1973].
After the death of imam, Alhaji AbdulSalaam Omooba in 1973, the stool was vacant for 2 years, owing to some reasons. Within this period, 1973—1975, Alhaji Salomon Sheu Mogaji, the youngest son of Alfa Ahmadu from Ilorin was the acting imam.
However, the eighth imam was chosen by the present Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemo III. That took place in March 1975. Alhaji Lamidi Ajanasi was the eighth Imam. He reigned for a period of 15 years; from [1975—1990].
From 1990 to 1992, the selection process had a change twist. Four qualified candidates contested and had the same scores, according to the screening committee. The candidates were: Alhaji Lamidi Agbaje Gbegiri, Alfa Muhibudeen Oluwalogbon, Alhaji Lamidi Alimi and Alhaji Rasidi Ratibi. In the long run, through balloting, Alhaji Lamidi Agbaje Gbegiri was selected as the ninth Imam. He only reigned for 2 years, from [1990—1992].
As the tenth Imam of Pakoyi central mosque, Alfa Muhibudeen Oluwalogbon succeeded Alhaji Lamidi Agbaje Gbegiri in 1993. He led prayers and performed other functions such as Friday morning sermons, etc for good 22 years. He died in 2015. He reigned from [1993—-2015].
The batton of Pakoyi central mosque leadership/imaamship fell on Mallam Bashir Fasaasi Gbegiri, a retired teacher, in 2015 as the eleventh Imaam. He led Muslim community of Pakoyi for 5 years. His tenure recorded a number of progress and achievements . He died in July 2020.
The newest Imam of Pakoyi central mosque and, the twelfth Imam is Ustadh Tawfeeq Muhibudeen Oluwalogbon, whose father reigned from [1993—2015].
Ustadh Tawfeeq Muhibudeen Oluwalogbon is vast in Arabic language. He was announced as the twelfth Imam on Monday July 13 , 2020.
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