Ooni denies conferring Chieftaincy title on Baba Ijesa

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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has denied reports circulating on social media alleging that he conferred a chieftaincy title on popular Nollywood actor and comedian James Olanrewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.

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This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Mr Moses Olafare.

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Olafare quoted the Ooni as clarifying that although he warmly received the actor and his wife at his palace on Wednesday to celebrate the birth of his son, no chieftaincy title was conferred on the couple.

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Oba Ogunwusi said that he also presented the actor with a brand-new car and cash gifts as a demonstration of his fatherly love and royal generosity, but no chieftaincy title was conferred on him.

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“Awada Konge Oduwa”, which Baba Ijesha later described on his social media pages as a chieftaincy title, was merely a light-comedy remark made by the Ooni during a relaxed interaction in recognition of the actor’s outstanding career as a comedian.

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The Ooni explained that the remark was never intended to constitute a formal installation or conferment of a traditional title.

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He said that Baba Ijesha, as an indigene of Ile-Ife and a proud son of the source, was deserving of honour and could be considered for a chieftaincy title in the future.

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“However, no such title has been conferred on him.

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“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.

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“None of these customary procedures took place during the actor’s visit to the palace,” he said.

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While appreciating 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 that the actor had been installed as the “Awada Konge Oduwa” or conferred with any chieftaincy title.

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The royal father reaffirmed his commitment to celebrating and supporting deserving sons and daughters of Ile-Ife and the Oodua race at large while preserving the sanctity, dignity and integrity of the revered traditional institution of chieftaincy. (NAN)

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