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By Bimbola Segun-Amao
I grew up in an ancient town in Osun State. My dad, a civil servant did his best to provide for his kids, I with my brothers were enrolled in the best nursery school in town, and so were the king’s daughters.
The traditional ruler was old, revered and honored by all. I was constantly in awe of him, Tj, the King’s daughter, however called him daddy. She called him ‘Kabiyesi’ only when it could not be helped; he was simply her dad first before any other roles and office. There were few chiefs, and not many title-holders flying around, except for medical doctors, PhD holders and clergies. Most men were addressed as Mister or daddy, and the women simply bore the names of their husband as wives.
Some years after, we moved to the capital city. There, I noticed that 4 out of 10 fathers had titles, chiefs, Alhajis, surveyors, barristers, pharmacist, architect…some of our friends even addressed their dad by their title. It was strange, but they were the city people, they must be right.
But they were not right after-all, it’s just the societal bug that had taken a toll on them- the Nigerian crave to be respected and titled. Every ‘big’ man and woman wants a title, it is good for their social status. Only ordinary men answer Mr. Tolu; a well-respected man has to be Dr. Tolu, or Evangelist Tolu, or High Chief Tolu. Otunba used to be a very revered Yoruba chieftaincy title. It was noble and reserved for specific families, and passed down from one generation to the next. But the rich ones found a way of becoming ‘otunba’, turning a once respected title into a cheap article, like a dozen for a few bucks.
Those who can’t afford chieftaincy titles had to take solace in their qualification. You’ll meet Surveyor Nathaniel, Architect John, Engineer Kay, Barrister Garba. It doesn’t matter if they have been called to bar or not, or have passed their COREN examination, once the BSc is completed, the title is sure.
It’s not only a rich man’s syndrome; some people in the middle class would raise a storm when not ‘properly addressed’: the company director has to be called Director, even when he or she is out of the office. And God bless you if you address a Mrs. as Miss!
I’m so vexed with myself; I have chosen a ‘title-less’ path. Will you call me ‘Writer Bimbola’ or Environmentalist Bimbola? (I read Environmental Biology for my first degree)?
Image Source: olorisupergal.blogspot.com