Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry has been made a chief in Nigeria.
Henry was given the title of “Igwe”, which means king in Igbo, a title his team of adoring fans from the eastern part of the Nigeria bestowed on him during the course of his career.
However, while he may have looked the part, dressed in a traditional Igbo outfit complete with its ensemble of red hat, hand fan and staff, this Igwe title is not official.
It transpires, fans are unable to bestow this particular honour on their heroes, however many goals they score.
Only a king can make someone a chief, explains the BBC’s Gbolahan Macjob, a Nigerian chief in his own right.
Henry, who was in Lagos on Sunday meeting the winners of a consumer promotions organised by Guinness, was also pictured helping out in cooking some Jollof rice at the event.
So Thierry Henry hugged me.
I ain’t bathing no more.
Thank you @GuinnessNGR for the opportunity of a one-on-one interview session with a football great, a football legend. #Igwe#BeAFrontRowFan #MadeOfB14ck
Thierry Henry in Lagos learning to cook jollof rice. Dude said Kanu never told him Nigerians called him Igwe.
