Bessie House-Soremekun possesses an exalted title: Chief

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Bessie House-Soremekun possesses a number of titles: Public Scholar in African American Studies, Civic Engagement and Entrepreneurship, Professor of Political Science, Professor of Africana Studies, Adjunct Professor of Philanthropy, and Faculty Fellow at IUPUI.

But there is one title that comes first, before those reflecting her academic accomplishments or achievements as a nationally recognized leader, advocate and expert on entrepreneurship and economic development: Chief.

Because of her expertise on Africa, entrepreneurship, and economic development issues, she was recently invited to present a keynote speech and several public presentations on these topics in Nigeria (West Africa). While in Nigeria, the title of chief was bestowed upon House-Soremekun and her husband, Dr. Maurice Adekunle Ebun Soremekun, last November by His Royal Majesty, Oba (King) Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Okukenu IV, Alake of Egbaland.

Since then, her official title is Chief Dr. Mrs. Bessie House-Soremekun, the Erelu Bada Asiwaju of Egbaland. Her husband was presented with the title of Bada Asiwaju of Egbaland.

House-Soremekun’s husband, Dr. Maurice Adekunkle Ebun Soremekun, is a Nigerian born physician who is CEO of Women’s Health Care, Inc., in Beachwood, Ohio.  A longtime advocate and supporter of his native country, Dr. Soremekun is a board- certified physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

According to Pastor Peter Omole, “the title of chief is a very high honor in the cultural, historical, and contemporary context of African society. It is bestowed on a very select group of people who possess a strong moral character, come from a good and morally upright family, have performed acts of kindness and humanitarianism to members of the citizenry, and who exemplify all that is considered good in African culture. The nominees for chieftaincy go through a very rigorous and competitive vetting process. Candidates for chieftaincy must also have performed deeds through the years to uplift the Nigerian society.”

“Only a few people in Nigeria are elevated to chieftaincy status, which means the individual is part of the ruling elite,” House-Soremekun noted. “It means you are part of an inner circle of political advisors that are working to improve the country and the society as a whole. We are representing African culture and society and will help others understand the glory and richness of African culture and history as well as promote better ties between Africa and other countries.”

The chieftaincy bestowed last fall by His Royal Majesty Oba (King) Michael Adedotun  Aremu Gbadebo is actually one of three chieftaincies bestowed upon House-Soremekun and her husband. A second set of chieftaincy titles was bestowed upon them in the ancestral community of her husband’s father, in Keesi, a sub-urban town in Ogun State of Nigeria. House-Soremekun was presented with the title of Erelu Maiyegun of Keesi, while her husband was given the title of Maiyegun of Keesi. The third set of chieftaincy titles was bestowed upon the couple by a Christian group in Bakatari, the area where her husband’s mother came from. The event was celebrated at the Christ Anglican Church of Bakatari. House-Soremekun was presented with the chieftaincy title of Iyalaje of Bakatari Christians (which means Commander of the Marketplace) while her husband was given the title of Balogun of Bakatari Christians. Dr. Soremekun’s father was the former Archbishop of the Methodist Church in Nigeria.

As a member of His Royal Majesty Oba (King) Michael Adedotun  Aremu Gbadebo’s inner circle, House-Soremekun has talked with the King about the possibility of developing a faculty and student exchange program between Abeokuta Agricultural University (which is in the king’s domain) and IUPUI. “The king was very excited about it,” she noted.

The first exchange may involve the King himself. House-Soremekun has invited the King to be a keynote speaker at a conference she is organizing at IUPUI to take place on October 29-31, 2009. The theme of the conference is “Rethinking Economic Development in the Context of Globalization: Entrepreneurship, the Knowledge Economy, and Sustainable Development.” Participants at the conference will come from various countries around the world and it is very appropriate that the Oba (King) participate in the conference to discuss Nigeria’s changing role in the new global economy.

House-Soremekun and her husband are now part of the ruling elite in Nigeria and are delighted to have direct access to the king. They will continue to work very closely with him as he develops policies for Egbaland and will help to develop better relationships between the United States and Nigeria.

When the King and his queen presented them with their certificates of chieftaincy, House-Soremekun and her husband, wearing native attire, participated in ceremonies akin to being dubbed a knight by the Queen of England, including kneeling and having chieftaincy caps paced upon their heads.

“Coming from rural Alabama”, House-Soremekun said, “I never thought I would be talking to kings and queens. It is a wonderful honor and I am deeply humbled by it.”

Bessie House-Soremekun joined the faculty at Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis (IUPUI) in the Fall of 2007. Her fields of academic concentration are Comparative Politics, The Political Economy of Africa, International Political Economy, Women and Development, Globalization, and Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Africa and the United States. She graduated “Magna Cum Laude” from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama with a degree in English. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in International Studies from the University of Denver.  She has received numerous awards and honors. She is an award-winning author and poet, dynamic public speaker, professor, administrator, entrepreneur, and inventor.