The Onaniyis were wood carvers (gbegilere or Olona) carving designed doors, stools, images and so on. Alfa Nafiu acquired Islamic education in Nupeland with enough knowledge of the Qur’an and other Islamic literatures like Zaburah and Lalari among others. He was the first turbaned Imam of Ogbomoso who first delivered Jumu’at sermon (Khutubah) in the old Oja Jagun Central Mosque.
He was however succeeded by Alfa Muse who held sway between 1871 and 1892. Next was Alfa Muhammadu Gbadamosi Aduin (1892 – 1899) and was succeeded by Alfa Abdur Rahman Bango Alawaye who was on the Minbar from 1901 – 1903. The name Alawaye had a connection to his roots, Ado Awaye in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State.
Next was Alfa Muhamadu Abogunde who reigned from 1903–1909 during the times of Soun Majengbasan Elepo I. It is on record that Abogunde, like his father, between 1901 and 1907, learnt the Quran in Nupeland.
Alfa Sanusi Memudu Masifa was in charge from 1909 – 1917, then Alfa Mahmud Ayilara whose father, Uthman of Adegun family migrated from Ikoyi-Ile after the collapse of Oyo Empire. He called the shot as Chief Imam of Ogbomoso between (1917-1919).
Alfa Salahudeen, the son of Imam Gbadamosi Aduin was next and was on the pulpit between 1919-1933. He owned a Madrasa (Arabic School) and trained many students in Islamic education among of whom was Alfa Hamzat Alawiye who later became Imam of Ogbomoso. In 1934, Alfa Buhari Bolanta Bango mounted the pulpit for just two years. He died in 1936 and he was succeeded by Alfa Maruf Abogunde (1936–1976) who studied under his father, Imam Muhammadu Abogunde. He died on August 8, 1976.
Thereafter, in August 1976, Soun Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi turbaned Alfa Hamzat Alawiye as the new Imam, who was until then, the Mufassir of Ogbomoso.
The monarch was convinced by Alawiye’s characters of piety, humility, honesty, patience and integrity in spite of his wealth of Islamic knowledge, fluency and oratory.
The passage of Imam Alawiye in 2001 paved the way for Sheikh AbdulYakeen Ashafa who reigned as Grand Chief Imam till 2021, the same year Dr. Toliat was turbaned.
