A Chinese man has been installed as a chief in Kano State, Northern Nigeria by the Emir of Kano. This was done to improve the relationship between the people of the State and the growing Chinese population domicile there.
The Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, announced the installment of Mr. Mike Zhang as the leader of the Chinese population in Kano and he will now be referred to by the traditional title, “Wakilin Yan China.” He was turbaned on April 25 and his responsibilities include representing the Chinese community at royal meetings and proper management of the Chinese citizens.
The spokesperson of the Kano Emirate announced that the installment was necessary for proper representation of the fast-growing Chinese population. A couple of conflicts have been recorded between Chinese traders and local traders and this was a means of quelling these issues by the Emir.
There have been mixed feelings regarding the turbaning of Mr. Zhang mostly because people in the State feel the Chinese are already gradually taking over the African continent. This is not the first time a foreign national will receive such an honor in the State. A Libyan-Arab, Yemeni, has previously been installed as a chief by the Emir.