Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has announced that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, conferred a chieftaincy title on him and presented him with a brand-new car during a recent visit to the royal palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The actor made the disclosure in a post shared on his Facebook page, where he uploaded photographs of himself, his wife and members of the royal household. He described the visit as a memorable occasion and expressed gratitude to the monarch for what he called an overwhelming show of love and acceptance.
According to Baba Ijesha, the Ooni bestowed on him the traditional title “Baba Awada Konge Oduwa”. He also claimed that the monarch presented him with a new vehicle and other gifts in recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry.
Reacting to the honour, the actor thanked the Ooni, the traditional council and the people of Ile-Ife for what he described as a life-changing gesture. He said he would remain grateful for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to uphold the values associated with the title.
The reported honour comes months after Baba Ijesha regained his freedom from prison. The actor was released in November 2025 after serving part of the prison sentence imposed following his conviction in a child sexual assault case, a development that generated widespread public debate across Nigeria.
His latest announcement has equally stirred mixed reactions on social media. While some supporters congratulated him on what they described as a fresh beginning, others questioned the decision to honour him given the circumstances surrounding his previous conviction.
However, as of Friday, July 3, 2026, the Palace of the Ooni of Ife had not issued an official statement confirming either the reported chieftaincy title or the presentation of a brand-new car. Available reports are based solely on Baba Ijesha’s public statement and photographs shared from the palace visit.
The absence of an official response from the palace has continued to fuel public discussion, with many observers awaiting clarification from the Ooni’s media office regarding the reported honour.
