The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has honoured Nollywood actor and comedian Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, with a chieftaincy title and a brand-new car during a ceremony at the monarch’s palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The traditional ruler conferred on the actor the title of Baba Awada Konge Oduwa, alongside other luxury gifts, in recognition of what was described as his contributions to Yoruba culture and entertainment.
An emotional Baba Ijesha shared news of the honour on his social media pages, expressing gratitude to the Ooni for what he described as a warm royal reception and fatherly support.
“My deepest gratitude to His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife. Baba, thank you for the royal welcome, fatherly love, and the confidence you gave to my wife, Afolashade Omiyinka, and me. For the luxurious gifts you blessed us with and the brand-new car, I am truly humbled,” the actor wrote.
He also thanked the monarch for bestowing the traditional title on him, describing it as a great honour and reaffirming his pride in his Yoruba heritage.
Photos from the palace showed Baba Ijesha, accompanied by his wife, Afolashade Omiyinka, receiving the royal recognition from the Ooni, who has consistently used his throne to celebrate individuals contributing to the promotion of Yoruba culture, arts and tradition.
The development has generated widespread reactions on social media, with many congratulating the actor on the honour while others debated the choice of recipient, given the controversies that have surrounded his career in recent years.
The Ooni of Ife, regarded as the paramount traditional ruler of the Yoruba people, has over the years conferred chieftaincy titles on several notable personalities in recognition of their contributions to society and the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage.
