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

The clarification followed a social media post by the actor, in which he shared a photo of himself and his wife kneeling before the monarch and claimed he had been bestowed with the title of “Baba Awada Konge Oduwa,” which he translated as “Father of Comedy Meets Oduduwa.”

Baba Ijesha also claimed that the monarch gifted him a car.

However, in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare, the palace said no chieftaincy title was conferred on the actor during his recent visit.

According to the statement, the Ooni hosted Baba Ijesha and his wife at the palace on Wednesday to celebrate the birth of their son, but the visit did not involve any traditional installation or conferment of title.

The palace explained that the phrase “Awada Konge Oduwa” was merely a humorous remark made by the Ooni during a relaxed interaction, in recognition of Baba Ijesha’s contribution to comedy.

It said the phrase was never intended to be a traditional title.

The monarch added that although Baba Ijesha, as an indigene of Ile-Ife, could be considered for a chieftaincy title in the future, no such honour had been bestowed 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 statement said.

The palace further clarified that the car and cash gifts given to Baba Ijesha were gestures of fatherly love and royal generosity to celebrate the birth of his son, and were not connected to any chieftaincy title.

The Ooni appreciated Baba Ijesha for acknowledging the kindness shown to him and his family, but urged members of the public and media organisations to disregard reports that the actor had been installed as “Awada Konge Oduwa” or given any chieftaincy title.

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

Baba Ijesha and his wife, the Chief Executive Officer of Luminee Couture Limited, recently welcomed a child after the actor regained his freedom in November 2025.

The actor was released after serving his sentence following his 2022 conviction by a Lagos High Court on charges relating to indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault.

Although he was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment, the terms ran concurrently, resulting in a shorter period in custody.

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