Black History Month: Meet American Superstars Bestowed With Nigerian Chieftancy Titles

Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada and more recently has been observed in Ireland, and the United Kingdom. As the United States and some parts of the […]

Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada and more recently has been observed in Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Jay-Z

American rapper and songwriter, Shawn Corey Carter popularly known as Jay-Z and his superstar wife, Beyoncé Knowles, visited Nigeria in 2006 after a special invitation from the then Governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki. It was gathered that Saraki is a big fan of the couple and he wanted them to see the milestone achievement by the State government which was the provision of clean and potable water.

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Jay-Z was conferred with a chieftaincy title, “Serikin Waka of Ilorin” by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambari. Also, a road was named Shawn Jay Z Carter after the legendary rap artiste. Jay-Z was physically present for the coronation.

 

Danny Glover

American actor and political activist, Daniel Lebern Glover popularly known as Danny Glover, is another American celebrity who has a traditional title. In April 2009, Danny Glover was given a chieftaincy title in Imo State, Nigeria.

He was conferred with a title called “Enyioma of Nkwerre,” which means ‘Good friend of Nkwere’.  Accepting the honour bestowed upon him by traditional rulers of Nkwere, the iconic actor thanked the people, chiefs and king of Nkwere for accepting him and recognising his achievements as a movie star. He thanked them for finding him worthy to be honoured and promised the people that he will live up to the demand of their traditional offices. 

 

 

Forest Whitaker

American actor and producer, Forest Steven Whitaker, is another superstar that has been conferred with a traditional title. Forest’s ancestry has been traced to Nkwerre in Imo State, Nigeria. He had visited Nigeria a couple of times and in 2009 while visiting Nigeria, he was conferred a chieftaincy title called “Nwannedinamba of Nkwerre,” which means, was given Nwannedinamba of Nkwere which means “a brother in a foreign land.”

 

James Guyton

American musician, James Guyton, is another celebrity with a Nigerian traditional title. The star who traced his origin to Abia State, Nigeria was conferred with a chieftaincy traditional title by the traditional ruler of Ofeme Autonomous Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Eze E.C.O Udoka.

He was also given an Igbo name, Chiwetara. In March 2020, James was to be conferred with the chieftaincy title called “Nwannedinamba of Ofeme”.