It sounds like a legend: A project manager of a Chinese power company was recently crowned as a chieftain by a Nigerian tribe, after he helped it build a 10-classroom school with sports facilities and frequently gave candies to its kids and red envelopes of money to its elderly. From China Daily:
When Fang Yibo was dispatched to Africa in April 2003, he expected some surprises – but the biggest of all was being made a tribal chieftain.
On a November day in 2007, under the scorching sun of Nigeria, Fang was formally crowned chieftain by the Akam Oba (king) in Ogun State.
Along with the title came 33 hectares of land, which Fang, 44, can bequeath to his offspring.
“The title is not nominal. It is inheritable. But I won’t participate in local affairs. After all, I’m a foreigner here in Africa. [Full Text]
[Image: Fang Yibo, project manager of a Shandong power company was crowned chieftain by a Nigerian tribe recently. Photo from China Daily.]