Ooni of Ife Dispels Rumours: No Chieftaincy Title for Baba Ijesa

His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has firmly debunked widespread social media allegations suggesting he bestowed a chieftaincy title upon the popular Nollywood actor and comedian, James Olanrewaju, widely known as Baba Ijesha. The monarch labelled these claims as entirely false.

This clarification was issued through a statement released on Saturday, July 4, by Mr. Moses Olafare, the Director of Media and Public Affairs for the Ooni’s Palace. The statement detailed that while the Ooni did receive Baba Ijesha and his wife at the palace on Wednesday, July 1, to commemorate the birth of their son, no traditional title was conferred on the actor during that visit.

The Ooni confirmed that he presented Baba Ijesha with a brand-new vehicle and monetary gifts, expressing his paternal affection and royal benevolence. However, he emphatically stated that no chieftaincy title was granted to the actor during his visit. The palace statement further clarified that the phrase "Awada Konge Oduwa," which Baba Ijesha later referenced on his social media platforms as a chieftaincy title, was merely a lighthearted comedic remark made by the Ooni during a casual interaction. This remark was intended to acknowledge the actor's notable career as a comedian, not to signify a formal installation or the bestowal of a traditional title.

The monarch maintained that despite Baba Ijesha being a deserving indigene of Ile-Ife who could potentially be considered for such an honour in the future, no chieftaincy title has been conferred on him to date. The statement underscored that “the conferment of chieftaincy titles in Ile-Ife remains a sacred traditional process governed by established customs, consultations and traditional rites, which are publicly conducted in accordance with the age-long traditions of the source. None of these customary procedures took place during the actor’s visit to the Palace.”

Furthermore, the Ooni urged media organisations and the general public to disregard any reports asserting that Baba Ijesha had been installed as "Awada Konge Oduwa" or granted any chieftaincy title. While expressing appreciation to the actor for acknowledging the royal kindness shown to him and his family, the Ooni reiterated his dedication to celebrating and supporting deserving sons and daughters of Ile-Ife and the entire Oodua race, all while upholding the sanctity, dignity, and integrity of the revered traditional institution of chieftaincy.