Actor Baba Ijesha Receives New Car, Traditional Title from Ooni of Ife

Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has expressed gratitude to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, after the monarch presented him and his wife, Abiodun Folashade Tokunbo, with a brand-new car and conferred a traditional title on him.

The actor announced the gesture in a post shared on his Facebook page on Wednesday, where he described the royal reception as a deeply humbling experience.

Baba Ijesha also thanked the revered monarch and members of his council for the warm welcome and generosity extended to his family.

Accompanying the post were photographs showing the actor and his wife, dressed in matching white outfits, kneeling before the Ooni during their visit to the royal palace in Ile-Ife.

During the visit, the monarch conferred on the actor the chieftaincy title ‘Baba Awada Konge Oduwa’, a title that celebrates his contribution to comedy and entertainment.

Expressing his appreciation, 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.

“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.”

The palace visit marks another milestone in the actor’s return to public life following his release from prison in November 2025.

Baba Ijesha was convicted by a Lagos High Court in 2022 on charges of indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault. Although he received a 16-year sentence, the prison terms were ordered to run concurrently, resulting in him serving approximately five years before his release.

Throughout his incarceration, the actor maintained his innocence, insisting he had been wrongly accused. In April 2024, he alleged that he had been set up, claiming he was simply acting out a script provided by a colleague.

Following his release, he also released a song titled Eniwaye Daran, in which he narrated the events surrounding his arrest and accused comedian Princess of inviting him to her residence under the guise of sharing a meal and discussing a film role.

In recent months, Baba Ijesha and his wife, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Luminee Couture Limited, welcomed a new baby, adding another significant chapter to their family’s journey after his release from prison.