The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has officially denied reports circulating on social media that he conferred a chieftaincy title on Nollywood actor and comedian James Olanrewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha. In a statement released on Saturday, July 4, the palace described the claims as entirely false and urged the public to disregard them.
Palace Clarifies the Visit
The clarification was issued by Moses Olafare, Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace. According to the statement, Baba Ijesha and his wife visited the monarch on Wednesday, July 1, to celebrate the birth of their son. During the visit, the Ooni presented the actor with a brand-new car and cash gifts as a gesture of fatherly love and royal generosity. However, the palace stressed that no traditional title was conferred on Baba Ijesha during the meeting.
Awada Konge Oduwa Not a Title
The statement explained that the phrase “Awada Konge Oduwa,” which Baba Ijesha later described on his social media pages as a chieftaincy title, was merely a light-comedy remark made by the Ooni during a relaxed interaction. The monarch said the comment was intended to recognize the actor’s outstanding career as a comedian and was never meant to constitute a formal installation or conferment of a traditional title.
Sacred Traditional Process
The Ooni emphasized that the conferment of chieftaincy titles in Ile-Ife remains a sacred traditional process governed by established customs, consultations, and traditional rites. These procedures are publicly conducted in accordance with the age-long traditions of the source. The palace noted that none of these customary procedures took place during the actor’s visit. The statement read: “However, no such title has been conferred on him. 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.”
Future Possibility Not Ruled Out
The monarch acknowledged that Baba Ijesha, as an indigene of Ile-Ife, is deserving of honour and could be considered for a chieftaincy title in the future. However, he reiterated that no such title has been conferred on him at this time. The Ooni also urged media organisations and members of the public to disregard reports claiming that Baba Ijesha had been installed as the “Awada Konge Oduwa” or conferred with any chieftaincy title.
Commitment to Tradition
While appreciating the actor for acknowledging the royal kindness extended to him and his family, the monarch reaffirmed his commitment to celebrating and supporting deserving sons and daughters of Ile-Ife and the Oodua race. He also stressed the importance of preserving the sanctity, dignity, and integrity of the traditional institution of chieftaincy.
