Def Jam Records President and rap star Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, was made a chief in the city of Ilorin, Nigeria last week. Jay-Z was in the city, located in Kwara State, to launch a water project as part of his duties as the UN Special Envoy for Water for Life Project.

Jay-Z, who took up to role to raise the awareness amongst young people about the impact of the water crisis facing certain parts of the world, was there to acknowledge the efforts of the Kwara State government to provide clean portable water to its people.

The star was turbaned by the Emir of Kwara, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, and given the chieftaincy title Sarkin Waka of Kwara. The rapper also had a road name after him in the city and is to be known as Shawn “Jay Z” Road.

Jay-Z, who was also in the country as part of his worldwide tour, is collaborating with the UN and MTV to highlight the problems facing people in water deprived areas. MTV is to chronicle his visits to these areas during his tour and turn it into a special documentary series. The series titled “Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life” is to be shown from November 24 on all MTV’s 50 locally programmed channels with a reach of 179 countries.

Click here to view pictures of Jay-Z’s visit to Ilorin, Kwara