Former Commissioner for Environment and Habitat in Oyo State, Nigeria, Barrister Lowo Obisesan said royalty and chieftaincy titles in Ibadan land are not for people of questionable character.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA.com during his installation ceremony as the new Jagun Balogun of Ibadan land, Barrister Lowo Obisesan said Ibadan will confer on someone from royal lineage traditional titles, while honourary chieftaincy title is given to those that have impacted positively on the growth of the city.

“In the olden days, before someone could be honoured with chieftaincy title, he or she must have done something good in the community. People worthy of emulation and devoid of questionable characters were honoured with chieftaincy title, but nowadays, some politicians can use money to buy chieftaincy title, despite the fact that they have not made appreciable impact in the society.

“I believe that Ibadan does not give traditional and honourary chieftaincy titles to people mainly because of their political influence, but much emphasis is often laid on the character and impact of such an individual.

Furthermore, the new Jagun Balogun of Ibadan land said whoever ran away from his traditional Chieftaincy title and responsibilities did not actually come from a royal home:

“I must be honest with you, whoever is running away from traditional chieftaincy title does not come from a royal lineage. If such an individual is royalty, then the person will be happy to step into the traditional shoe of his forefathers.

“As the Jagun Balogun of Ibadan land, I have taken a step closer to the throne of the Olubadan from the line of Balogun and I will continually discharge my traditional responsibilities to make life better for every dweller in Ibadan land,” he said.

Barrister Lowo Obisesan from Awonsoso dynasty was elevated to the chieftaincy rank of Jagun Balogun of Ibadan land by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I, Olubadan of Ibadan land, at the Olubadan’s Palace, Monatan, on November 8, 2013.