A monarch in Ogun State, Onitigbo of Tigbo-Ilu Land, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Oba Olabode Thomas-Fagbayi, has revealed why he conferred a chieftaincy title on the controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola better known as Portable.
On Monday, August 22, Portable took to his social media handles to announce his new title. He said he has been installed as the Amuludun of Tigbo Awori land.
He also shared videos and photos of himself at the ceremony where he was decorated with the chieftaincy title.
Soon after he shared the posts, some Nigerians accused the monarch having collected money from the controversial singer.
Justifying his position in a chat with Premium Times, the monarch said he never knew the young artist until recently and that he bestowed the title on him because he is humble and respectful.
According to the monarch, “I visited a school in my domain where I have gotten a report of misbehaviour among the pupils and students of the school. So, I went to the school to talk briefly with them. It was there that I was told that somebody called Portable was passing through my domain and was throwing money at people, and in the process, many got injured.
“Because of that, I summoned him to my palace, and he came twice, but I wasn’t at the palace when he came. So, one day, I was walking on the road, and I saw him driving; I called for him, and he immediately came with his boys, and they all prostrated on the road.”
The monarch also said the singer traces his roots to his kingdom as his mother is and indigent.
“His mum is from Tigbo, and he too lives here; he presented himself as a responsible person, and we take him as that. Some people might have reservations about him, but even at that, he is our son,”he said
The Onitigbo of Tigbo-Ilu Land added that the singer had also shown readiness to be part of the celebration of ‘Tigbo day’.
Oba Thomas-Fagbayi, however, debunked social media claims that he was paid to honor the rising artiste and insisted that he is a monarch whom “God has blessed.”
Video of the conferment:
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‘Why I Conferred Chieftaincy Title on Portable’ – Monarch (video)