The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has denied reports claiming he conferred a traditional chieftaincy title on Nollywood actor and comedian James Olanrewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare, the actor and his wife recently paid a courtesy visit to celebrate the birth of their son, but no traditional title was bestowed on either of them.
During the visit, the monarch presented Baba Ijesha with a brand-new vehicle and cash gifts as gestures of goodwill. The palace explained that the phrase “Awada Konge Oduwa,” which the actor later described on social media as a chieftaincy title, was merely a humorous remark acknowledging his success in comedy and was never intended as an official honour.
The Ooni noted that Baba Ijesha, an indigene of Ile-Ife, could be considered for a chieftaincy title in the future but stressed that none has been conferred. He added that chieftaincy titles in Ile-Ife require consultations, customary rites and public ceremonies, none of which took place during the visit, urging the public to disregard reports to the contrary.
