As earlier indicated, the Kanuri defeated the SO and instituted a government at about 800 AD under the Sayfewa dynasty. And at about 1470 AD the empire declined because of attack by the SO, Bulala and the Tuaregs.
However, among the leaders of the first Kanuri Empire were Mai Dunama I (1097-1150) and Mai Dunama II (1221-1250).
The former was a devout Muslim white the later was a warlike king who led the empire to its apogee or climax.
Meanwhile, the first Kanuri Empire had Njima as its capital city.