The palace of Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, has dismissed reports that the controversial Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was conferred with a chieftaincy title.
The clarification comes after the actor, on Friday, shared photographs of himself and his wife kneeling before the monarch during a visit to the palace. In the post, Baba Ijesha claimed that the Ooni had bestowed on him the title ‘Baba Awada Konge Oduwa’, which translates to Father of Comedy Meets Oduduwa.
The claim quickly gained traction on social media, triggering mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some congratulating the actor. In contrast, others questioned the basis for such an honour, considering his controversial public profile.
Reacting to the development, Ooni’s palace said no chieftaincy title was conferred on Baba Ijesha. The palace explained that the monarch’s phrase was merely a light-hearted, humorous remark, consistent with the Ooni’s warm and engaging personality.
According to palace sources, the monarch often uses playful expressions and spontaneous commendations when interacting with guests, particularly individuals from the entertainment and creative industries. The palace stressed that the remark was never intended to be interpreted as an official traditional title or formal appointment.
It further noted that the conferment of chieftaincy titles in Ile-Ife follows established customs and procedures, which include consultations and ceremonial processes. Consequently, any legitimate installation would be formally announced by the palace through its official communication channels.
The palace urged the public to disregard reports suggesting that Baba Ijesha had been installed as a chief, emphasising that the actor’s interpretation of the encounter did not reflect the intention of the monarch.
The incident has once again placed Baba Ijesha in the spotlight. The actor remains one of the most controversial figures in Nigeria’s entertainment industry following his legal troubles in recent years. While he continues to maintain a presence in the movie industry and on social media, the latest claim has sparked renewed public debate and scrutiny.
The Ooni’s palace, however, maintained that the actor’s recent visit was simply a courtesy call and that no chieftaincy title, honorary appointment, or traditional recognition was conferred on him during the meeting.
