Ooni of Ife says actor received gifts not chieftaincy title

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has clarified that he did not confer a chieftaincy title on the actor James Olanrewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, during a recent palace visit. The royal palace issued a statement on Saturday, July 4, 2026, to formally deny social media reports of a title conferment, stating the actor was instead honored with gifts.

The clarification follows posts by Baba Ijesha on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in which he expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler for what he described as a royal welcome, fatherly love, and the chieftaincy title of "Baba Awada Konge Oduwa." The actor also stated he received a brand-new car and other gifts during the visit, which came weeks after he and his wife, fashion designer Abiodun Tokunbo, announced the birth of their son.

In the palace statement, the Ooni's director of media and public affairs, Moses Olafare, said the monarch did warmly receive the actor and his wife at the palace to celebrate the birth of their child. He confirmed that Oba Ogunwusi presented the actor with a new car and cash gifts as a demonstration of fatherly love and royal generosity.

However, the palace emphasized that no traditional title...