‘I’m Honoured by the Chieftaincy Title’ – Baba Ijesha Thanks Ooni of Ife

Nollywood actor James Olarenwaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has disclosed that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, honoured him with a brand-new car, luxurious gifts and a traditional chieftaincy title during a recent visit to the monarch’s palace in Ile-Ife.

The actor made the revelation in a post shared on his Facebook page, where he expressed gratitude to the revered traditional ruler for what he described as a warm reception, fatherly love and confidence shown to him and his wife, fashion entrepreneur Abiodun Tokunbo, popularly known as Luminee.

In his appreciation message, Baba Ijesha wrote:

“My deepest gratitude to His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife. Baba, thank you for the royal welcome, fatherly love, and the confidence you gave my wife Afolashade Omiyinka and I.”

He continued: “For the luxurious gifts you blessed us with, and the brand new car, I am truly humbled. As a son of the soil. I’m also honoured by the chieftaincy title Baba Awada Konge Oduwa. Ile Ife, Ile Oodua! … ATI IJOYE PELU GBOGBO OMO ILE IFE THANK YOU SIR/MA.”

The palace visit comes weeks after Baba Ijesha and Luminee announced the birth of their son, an announcement that generated widespread reactions across social media. The couple later shared photographs from their visit to the Ooni’s palace, where they were received by the monarch.

While multiple media outlets reported the actor’s claims, the Ooni of Ife’s palace had not publicly issued an official statement confirming the conferment of the chieftaincy title or the presentation of the vehicle at the time the reports were published.

The development has since sparked mixed reactions online, with supporters congratulating the actor while others debated the significance of the royal honour.