By: Tunji Okunlola
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has denied reports circulating on social media that he conferred a chieftaincy title on Nollywood actor and comedian James Olanrewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Moses Olafare, Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace.
Olafare quoted the Ooni as clarifying that although he warmly received the actor and his wife at the palace on Wednesday to celebrate the birth of their son, no chieftaincy title was conferred on the couple.
Oba Ogunwusi said he also presented the actor with a brand-new car and cash gifts as a demonstration of fatherly love and royal generosity, but reiterated that no chieftaincy title was conferred on him.
“Awada Konge Oduwa” which Baba Ijesha later described on his social media pages as a chieftaincy title was, according to the Ooni, merely a light-hearted remark made in a relaxed moment, in recognition of the actor’s outstanding career as a comedian. The Ooni explained that the remark was never intended as a formal installation or conferment of a traditional title.
He said that Baba Ijesha, as an indigene of Ile-Ife, was deserving of honour and could be considered for a chieftaincy title in the future. “However, no such title has been conferred on him,” he said.
“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.
While commending Baba Ijesha for acknowledging the royal kindness extended to him and his family, the Ooni urged media organisations and members of the public to disregard reports claiming the actor had been installed as the “Awada Konge Oduwa” or conferred with any chieftaincy title.
The royal father reaffirmed his commitment to celebrating and supporting deserving sons and daughters of Ile-Ife and the Yoruba race at large, while preserving the sanctity, dignity and integrity of the traditional institution of chieftaincy. (NAN)