The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has denied reports that he conferred a chieftaincy title on Nollywood actor and comedian, James Olanrewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.
The monarch clarified that although the actor recently visited the Ile Oodua Palace with his wife to celebrate the birth of their son, no traditional title was bestowed on him.
Naija News reports that this was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare.
According to the statement, the Ooni received Baba Ijesha and his wife at the palace on Wednesday, where he presented the actor with a brand-new car and cash gifts as a demonstration of fatherly love and royal generosity.
The palace said the gesture should not be mistaken for a formal chieftaincy installation.
It explained that the phrase, “Awada Konge Oduwa,” which Baba Ijesha later described on his social media pages as a chieftaincy title, was only a humorous remark made by the monarch during a relaxed interaction.
“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,” the statement said.
The Ooni noted that Baba Ijesha, being an indigene of Ile-Ife, remained deserving of honour and could be considered for a traditional title in the future.
He, however, stressed that no title had been conferred on the actor.
The palace added that chieftaincy titles in Ile-Ife are not given casually, saying they follow established customs, consultations and traditional rites.
“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 statement added.
While appreciating Baba Ijesha for acknowledging the kindness extended to him and his family, the Ooni urged media organisations and members of the public to disregard reports claiming that the actor had been installed as the “Awada Konge Oduwa” or conferred with any chieftaincy title.
The monarch reaffirmed his commitment to celebrating and supporting deserving sons and daughters of Ile-Ife and the Oduduwa race.
He also pledged to continue preserving the sanctity, dignity and integrity of the revered traditional institution of chieftaincy.
