The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has honoured Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, with a chieftaincy title, luxurious gifts, and a brand-new car.
Baba Ijesha made this known in a post via his Facebook page, alongside photos of himself and his wife, Abiodun Folashade Tokunbo, kneeling before the monarch.
The thespian said they received a royal welcome at the Ile-Ife palace and the Ooni conferred on him the title ‘Baba Awada Konge Oduwa’ (meaning father of comedy meets Oduduwa)
Baba Ijesha also expressed his excitement over the gift and appreciated the traditional ruler and his chiefs.
He 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.
“For the luxurious gifts you blessed us with, and the brand new car. I am truly humbled. As a son of soil. I’m also honoured by the chieftaincy title Baba Awada Konge Oduwa Ile Ife, Ile Oodua!”
The palace visit comes months after Baba Ijesha’s release from prison in November 2025.
He had served a prison term following a 2022 conviction by a Lagos high court on charges of indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault. Though initially sentenced to 16 years, the sentence ran concurrently, resulting in approximately five years behind bars.
