Oba, doctor, alhaji, pastor, professor— by Dare Babarinsa

The highest title you can attain in the Yoruba traditional society is that of Oba. There is no title higher than Oba. In every state, each Oba is also defined by a title peculiar to his state. In Ife, he is the Ooni, in Oyo, the Alaafin, in Okemesi, the Owa Ooye, in Warri, he is Olu, in Ondo, he is Osemawe, in Ado, he is Ewi. When you hear the local title, you will immediately know his location.

In recent times, some of our royal fathers are adding other titles to their traditional ones. It is like the King of England calling himself King, Dr, Engineer Charles. If this happens in England, many of his subject would find this objectionable. Even one of the obas, dissatisfied with what he inherited from his ancestors, is calling himself emperor! Very laughable!!:How can the President of Nigeria be addressed as President, Governor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Once you are President, you don’t need to remind us of other titles again.

Luckily for us, the two leading traditional rulers in Nigeria, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife and Alhaji Saad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, have kept strictly to their traditional titles. They don’t need additional padding.

Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and first and only Premier of the defunct Northern Region said “l will rather be the Sultan of Sokoto than be the Prime Minister of Nigeria.”