The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has refuted social media claims that he bestowed a chieftaincy title on renowned Nollywood actor and comedian James Olanrewaju, popularly called Baba Ijesha.
The clarification was contained in a statement released on Saturday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Mr Moses Olafare.
According to Olafare, the monarch explained that although he welcomed the actor and his wife to the palace on Wednesday to celebrate the birth of their son, no traditional title was awarded to them.
Oba Ogunwusi stated that he gifted the actor a brand-new vehicle and cash as an expression of his fatherly affection and royal benevolence, stressing that no chieftaincy title was bestowed on him.
“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 in recognition of the actor’s outstanding career as a comedian.
The monarch clarified that the statement was never meant to serve as a formal installation or conferment of any traditional title.
He noted that Baba Ijesha, being an indigene of Ile-Ife and a proud son of the source, deserves recognition and may be considered for a chieftaincy title at a later time.
“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,” he said.
While expressing appreciation to Baba Ijesha for acknowledging the royal goodwill shown to him and his family, the Ooni urged media outlets and the public to ignore reports alleging that the actor had been installed as the “Awada Konge Oduwa” or granted any chieftaincy title.
The monarch also reiterated his dedication to honouring and supporting worthy sons and daughters of Ile-Ife and the broader Oodua race while maintaining the sanctity, dignity and integrity of the highly respected institution of chieftaincy.