YAKUBU - AN EARLY MUMUYE CHRISTIAN

BIOGRAPHY OF "BABA" YAKUBU VORO TOLENYASHONG KWAJJI

AD 1915 - 2010

Yakubu Tolenyashong was born about 1915 though other sources would put it several years before that. This projection was made possible using the periodic Mumuye ritual of initiation to manhood done every seven years. Since he would have been about age 18 – 24 when he was initiated and that 13 generations of initiation rites periods have passed from his time to date.

However, missionaries put his date of birth as 1902 when he was baptized in 1954. His parents named him Masho Talenyashong, and Yakubu (Jacob) was the name he acquired at his baptism as a Christian. His father Voro Loto belonged to the Bolong clan while his mother Wafiri came from the Punya Tarimijare clan both of the Kwajji clan of the Mumuye tribe. Like most Mumuye children he grew up as a child herding his father’s goats together with other neighborhood kids. At about age 18 – 24 years he was initiated into manhood. As a young man he played a strong role in the traditional religion of “Vaa” or Juju cult. He was a poet, he played almost all the Mumuye musical instruments well and was an adept orator and song composer to go with. He and his wife were gifted musicians and good farmers, so their house was crowded most evenings with music and dancing since that is the way Mumuye communities recreate after daily work on the  farm.

In 1948 he got married to Late Mama Sheba Tinya, the last daughter of the first District Head of Kwajji Kpanti Yawai Sholoba who died at nightfall that same day she was brought to her husband’s house.

CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANTIY

Baba Yakubu V Tolenashong at the peak of his time in “Vaa” cult was a leader who inspired young “Ja Vah” or Juju cult members. He was slated to become “Da Vah” or colt Leader of several different cults. During rituals his appearance always changed the tempo of things. He became widely known in Kwajji and its environs.

In late 1940s, Christian protestant preachers like the Olsen's, Eugene Wesley, Dr.Faust, etc were coming to Kwajji extending preaching every now and then from Zing, Bambur, Kona, and LANKAVIRI. Late Rev. Filibus and Late Jonah Asaduku were first African Evangelists that settled in Kwajji to influence him and the others. Being by nature a man of curiosity he listened to them and their message of salvation. He asked them questions and argued with them.

Finally in 1952 he formally accepted Christianity and converted. He was baptized by Rev. Karl Kuglin at Zing in 1954. His motives to convert as he always emphasized later were the simplicity, freedom and love of others that the Christian life offered in contrast to the complex, suppressive and violent life of the traditional religion he left behind. Since he was a prominent traditional religious leader, his conversion affected the tempo of the cultural practice. Actually, the traditional religious practice gradually degraded with his conversion and the others that followed him.

In reaction to his sudden religious ‘u-turn, there was shock disbelief and anger among his people. In the traditional religion he was outstanding and one of the best they had. How could he do something like that? He had abandoned them and left a gap none could easily fill. They felt exposed. Their anger turned to hatred and they directed all sorts of local propaganda and harassment on him since he was the oldest of the converts. The church he raised with a handful of others in the village of Kwajjji was burnt down on two separate occasions.

The cult people finally declared him the vah’s public enemy number one. Any “Ja vah” who could was to kill him if a convenient opportunity to do so presented itself. They sent kids to deliberately graze their goats on his crops with the hope of sparking any incidence of violence with him. Since the church and his family were constantly under sabotage, in Kwajji village he decided to transfer his homestead to Pupule in 1963. The small congregation moved with him to establish in Pupule which evolved into a larger church and today serves as headquarters of the UMCN Yorro Central District.

When he establish in Pupule, the missionaries in Zing employed him to work with them to encourage him. There he met Late Rev. Simon Jatutu and they became close friends. The missionaries encouraged both of them to go to Bible School but Baba Yakubu declined and told his friend he had “too many children,” how could he go to Bible school and leave them behind.

ROLE IN COMMUNITY

Pupule was founded by Muri Native Authority as a new headquarters and Palace of Kwaji District in 1952. There Baba Yakubu Tolenyashong with other converts like Ayuba Name, Barnabas Beko and Oded Ladan built the SUM Church which now stands as the United Methodist Church.

By 1957, Yakubu had learnt how to read and write. He was an active elder in his community and the church. Being a contemporary and friend of the Late District Head Bello Togan he was called upon in various capacities to help steer the community. He served for several years as a ward head (Galadiman Bolong) collecting taxes and advising the District Head. He was co-opted in the late 1960’s by the native authority to teach Hausa adult education classes for years with his wife in Pupule and its environs. He was  nominated in 1972 as a Council member to the native authority’s Development Area which comprised of Kwajji, Bali, Bakundi and Mumuye Districts with headquarters in Garba-Chede.

As a politician in the 1st Republic he joined the opposition Action Group (AG) Party of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and later UPN in the second Republic. Yakubu was an evangelist with his wife going out to preach and teach new converts in many of the villages in Kwajji, Mannang, Gadda-lasheke and Pantisawa areas. Together with his wife late Mama Sheba, they touched every part of the community’s life. They raised up self-help groups which participated in social programmes, Agric. Projects etc. In the early 1980’s they introduced new breeds of poultry using agric loan. 

FAMILY

As a family-man, Baba Yakubu had seven children delivered to him, between 1949 – 1969.

1. Late Henry Sale - 1949 – 1991

     Went to Barewa College Zaria

     Army personnel/Biafra war veteran.

2. Late Kayi - 1952 – 1957 died young.

3. Late George Iliya - 1955 – 2001

    Graduate of ABU Zaria, Administrator

4. Liatu Jummai - 1958

    Pastor, Graduate of Ohio USA

5. Haruna - 1961

    The Author- H Y Tolenyashong

6. Ishaku Toga - 1965

     Pastor

7. Late Reuben Voto - 1969

     Singer/Evangelist.

Baba Yakubu and his wife were very hospitable people. They hosted school children from far and near in their home, raised several children of their relatives. Some of those mentioned here adopted his name because they were brought to him and his wife as either babies or toddlers:

1. John Jaga - Retired civil servant

2. Matthias Jaga - 

3. Masho Jaga -Retired Police ISP.

4. Sussana Yakubu- Retired civil servant.

5. Sigara Yakubu - Grandmother

6. Hellen Yakubu - Civil servant

 7. Sunday Yakubu - Electrical

  8. Cynthia Yakubu - Lab. Scientist.

Baba Yakubu has 35 grand children and fifteen great-grand children.

He was dedicated father and husband to his family. He was a farmer throughout his active life. He produced Yam, G/Corn, Maize and Rice at enough subsistence level to feed the family. To augment his income, he did participate in peti-trading of farm produce/commodities; visiting local markets. He led his children in strict Christian way of life, teaching them the Bible at all times. Two of his children later became pastors.

Yakubu Tolenyashong having foreseen the blessings of Christian life early also realized the importance of western education. He was not a rich man by any standards, he was managing to survive and feed his family.

He however held tenaciously to a principle of educating his children. His encouragement and their brilliance propelled them to the best schools of their times. They went to prominent schools far and near.

SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS LIFE

Yakubu Tolenyashong is the rare type we have in every society the world over. A pioneer and risk bearer. The type of trail blazers that embrace new order in the society, very gentle and hospitable. The progressives that venture out of their closed societies to bring in new ideas and progress. Through his quest for knowledge, foresight in embracing Christianity and determination he prevailed in resisting obstacles and trials presented by conservative traditionalist and cultist. The Mumuye land tagged as “closed territory” at the onset of colonialism, gradually opened up to western education and modern societal development. Kwajji village alone now has five assorted churches and Pupule as has more than that number.

The way he took up the education of his children inspired many in the land. Baba Yakubu is a devoted EUB turned SUM and later UMCN member. His devotion saw him through the church crisis in the early seventies; likewise in the early 80’s when some members in the Yorro UMCN Kwajji defected to another denomination. His high moral standard was an inspiration to the extent that the late Muslim Imam Umaru of Pupule Indicated that any animal slaughtered by Yakubu (though a non-Muslim) is not “Haram” and should be eaten without question by all Muslims.

Many have concluded that his longevity might have been due to his righteousness, faith and abiding with truth. His wife of 53 years in marriage Sheba deceased to meet her Creaor in August, 2001. Years later his health started failing. His legs failed him and he could no more walk. His hearing deteriorated and so was his eye sight. Two days before Christmas of 2009 he experienced a stroke that took away his speech. He succumbed slowly to death after a week of discharge from the hospital. He fell into the bossom of his Lord and maker at 6:00pm Monday the 4th of January, 2010.

Most would like to believe that he is now resting in peace together with his wife and deceased children at the right hand side of the Almighty.

May his gentle and hospitable soul continue to rest in perfect peace. 

Amen.

  

-by Haruna Yakubu Tolenyashong

The appointment letters