Ooni of Ife denies conferring chieftaincy title on Baba Ijesha

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has dismissed claims that he conferred a chieftaincy title on Nollywood actor and comedian Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.

The monarch said the reports circulating on social media were false and clarified that Baba Ijesha was not installed with any traditional title during his recent visit to the palace.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare.

According to the statement, the Ooni hosted Baba Ijesha and his wife at the palace on Wednesday in celebration of the birth of their son, but no chieftaincy title was conferred on either of them.

Oba Ogunwusi also said he gifted the actor a brand-new car and cash as an expression of goodwill and fatherly support, stressing that the gesture had no connection with any traditional title.

“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 palace said the remark was never meant to amount to a formal installation or conferment of a title.

It added that although Baba Ijesha, as an indigene of Ile-Ife, could be considered for honour in the future, no title had been conferred on him.

“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, while appreciating Baba Ijesha for acknowledging the kindness shown to him and his family, urged the public and media organisations to ignore reports that he had been installed as the “Awada Konge Oduwa” or given any chieftaincy title.

The royal father also reaffirmed his commitment to honouring and supporting deserving sons and daughters of Ile-Ife and the wider Oodua race, while protecting the dignity and integrity of the traditional chieftaincy institution.

(NAN)