The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has moved to clear the air over claims that he bestowed a chieftaincy title on actor and comedian James Olanrewaju, known as Baba Ijesha. The palace issued a statement on Saturday through its Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, to address the viral social media reports.
According to the palace spokesman, the Ooni welcomed Baba Ijesha and his wife at his residence on Wednesday to mark the birth of his son. During the visit, the royal father presented the actor with a brand-new vehicle and cash as tokens of paternal affection and royal generosity.
However, Olafare stressed that no formal chieftaincy title was conferred on the couple during the encounter. The Ooni said "Awada Konge Oduwa" — which Baba Ijesha later shared on social media as a chieftaincy honour — was merely a lighthearted joke made during their relaxed discussion.
The remark, the palace noted, was intended to recognise the actor's comedic talents and was never meant as an official installation or title conferment. The Ooni explained that installing chiefs in Ile-Ife follows a strict, sacred process rooted in tradition and requires formal customs and public ceremonies.
"None of these customary procedures took place during the actor's visit to the palace," Olafare said. The palace acknowledged that Baba Ijesha, being an indigene of Ile-Ife, deserves recognition and could be considered for a chieftaincy title down the line.
The Ooni expressed appreciation for Baba Ijesha's recognition of the royal kindness shown to him and his family. He urged media outlets and the public to disregard reports claiming the actor had been installed with the "Awada Konge Oduwa" or any chieftaincy title.
The royal father pledged his continued commitment to honouring deserving sons and daughters of Ile-Ife and the Yoruba race generally. He emphasised his determination to maintain the reverence, dignity and integrity of the traditional chieftaincy institution.
