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The Ooni of Ife has denied social media reports that he conferred a chieftaincy title on Nollywood actor and comedian James Olanrewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.
A statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs of the Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare, quoted the monarch as saying the actor was received at the palace on Wednesday to celebrate the birth of his son, but no traditional title was bestowed.
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi said he presented the actor with a car and cash gifts as a gesture of royal generosity.
According to the palace, the phrase “Awada Konge Oduwa,” which Baba Ijesha later described on social media as a chieftaincy title, was a light-comedy remark made during a relaxed interaction.
The Ooni explained that the remark was not a formal installation or conferment of a traditional title.
He said the actor, as an indigene of Ile-Ife, could be considered for a title in the future, but none had been conferred.
The palace said that chieftaincy conferment in Ile-Ife follows established customs and traditional rites, which are conducted publicly. None of these procedures occurred during the actor’s visit.
“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.
The Ooni urged the public to disregard reports claiming the actor had been installed as “Awada Konge Oduwa” or given any chieftaincy title.
