Ooni of Ife denies conferring chieftaincy title on actor Baba Ijesha

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has officially denied claims that he bestowed a chieftaincy title upon the actor Olanrewaju “Baba Ijesha” James. This statement follows widespread online backlash after Baba Ijesha announced that the Ooni had granted him the title “Awada Konge Oduwa.” The actor and his wife, fashion entrepreneur Abiodun Tokunbo, had visited the palace, and the announcement of the title triggered criticism from netizens who questioned the Ooni’s decision to honor an individual convicted of sexually assaulting a child, despite the actor having served his prison sentence.

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The expression ‘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 remark was never intended to constitute a formal installation or conferment of a traditional title.

In a statement released by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, the Ooni clarified that the phrase “Awada Konge Oduwa,” which Baba Ijesha described as a chieftaincy title on social media, was merely a "light-comedy remark" made during a casual interaction. The remark was intended to recognize the actor's career as a comedian and was not meant as a formal installation or conferment of a traditional title. Olafare emphasized that the conferment of chieftaincy titles in Ile-Ife is a sacred, traditional process involving established customs, consultations, and public rites, none of which occurred during Baba Ijesha's visit.

Ogunwusi further explained that the visit by Baba Ijesha and his wife was to celebrate the birth of their son, King Kagar. During the visit, the Ooni presented the actor and his wife with a new car and cash gifts as a gesture of "fatherly affection and royal generosity." He described Baba Ijesha as a proud indigene of Ile-Ife deserving of honor, adding that he could be considered for a chieftaincy title in the future. The Ooni commended the actor for acknowledging the royal gesture and urged the public and media to disregard the claim of a formal title conferment.

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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.

The Ooni reaffirmed his commitment to celebrating and supporting deserving individuals from Ile-Ife and the broader Oodua race, while upholding the sanctity and integrity of the traditional chieftaincy institution. The clarification comes after Baba Ijesha and his wife shared photos from their palace visit on Instagram, though Ms. Tokunbo’s posts did not mention any royal honor.

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Baba Ijesha is a proud indigene of Ile-Ife, deserving of honour, adding that he could be considered for a chieftaincy title in the future.