Ooni Denies Conferring Chieftaincy Title on Baba Ijesha Amid Online Backlash
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has dismissed reports claiming he conferred a chieftaincy title on Nollywood actor Baba Ijesha. According to the palace, the actor only visited with his wife to celebrate the birth of their son, during which the monarch gifted him a new car and cash as a gesture of goodwill.
The palace clarified that the phrase “Awada Konge Oduwa” was a lighthearted compliment recognizing Baba Ijesha’s career in comedy—not a traditional title. It stressed that no chieftaincy rites or customary procedures took place.
While the Ooni noted that the Ile-Ife indigene could be considered for a title in the future, he emphasized that no title has been conferred.
HRM, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi
The clarification comes amid intense public debate, as Baba Ijesha was convicted in 2022 for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a minor, served a five-year sentence, and was released in November 2025. His conviction remains valid, and he is still listed on the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register, fueling mixed reactions over the monarch’s public show of support.
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