The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that he conferred a chieftaincy title on Nollywood actor and comedian James Olanrewaju, describing the claims as false.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Saturday, July 4, by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare.
According to the statement, the Ooni said he received Baba Ijesha and his wife at the palace on Wednesday, July 1, to celebrate the birth of their son but did not confer any traditional title on the actor. The monarch said he presented Baba Ijesha with a brand-new car and cash gifts as an expression of his fatherly love and royal generosity. However, he stressed that no chieftaincy title was bestowed on him during the visit.
The statement explained that “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 monarch maintained that the remark was never intended to constitute a formal installation or conferment of a traditional title.
He added that although Baba Ijesha, as an indigene of Ile-Ife, is deserving of honour and could be considered for a chieftaincy title in the future, no such title has 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.”
The Ooni also urged media organisations and members of the public to disregard reports claiming that Baba Ijesha had been installed as the “Awada Konge Oduwa” or conferred with any chieftaincy title.
While appreciating the actor for acknowledging the royal kindness extended to him and his family, the monarch reaffirmed his commitment to celebrating and supporting deserving sons and daughters of Ile-Ife and the Oodua race while preserving the sanctity, dignity and integrity of the traditional institution of chieftaincy.
