Nollywood actor James Olanrewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has revealed that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, presented him with a brand-new car, luxurious gifts and a chieftaincy title following the birth of his son.
The actor made the announcement in a Facebook post on Thursday, where he expressed appreciation to the monarch for what he described as a warm royal reception, fatherly support and the honour extended to him and his wife, fashion designer Abiodun Tokunbo, popularly known as Luminee.
In the emotional message, Baba Ijesha thanked the traditional ruler for his generosity, saying the gesture would remain unforgettable.
“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 wrote.
The actor further disclosed that the Ooni blessed the family with several expensive gifts, including a new vehicle.
“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,” he added.
Although details of the ceremony were not made public, the announcement has generated reactions on social media, with many congratulating the actor on the honour while others expressed surprise at the development.
The Ooni of Ife, regarded as one of Nigeria’s most respected traditional rulers, is known for recognising individuals who have contributed to culture, entertainment, business and community development. Over the years, the monarch has honoured several prominent Nigerians with traditional titles and has often supported initiatives aimed at promoting Yoruba culture and heritage.
The latest honour comes only weeks after Baba Ijesha and Luminee made headlines with the announcement of the birth of their son.
The couple attracted widespread attention on social media after Luminee first revealed on June 13, 2026, that she was expecting a baby boy. At the time, she did not disclose the identity of the child’s father, leading to widespread speculation among followers.
Two days later, on June 15, she confirmed the birth of the baby and subsequently shared maternity photographs featuring herself and Baba Ijesha.
The photographs appeared to put an end to the speculation, with fans and colleagues flooding their social media pages with congratulatory messages and prayers for the family.
The birth of the child marked a significant personal milestone for Baba Ijesha, who has been working to rebuild his life and career following his release from prison.
The actor was one of the most talked-about figures in the Nigerian entertainment industry after his legal troubles several years ago.
In 2022, a Lagos Special Offences Court sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault involving a minor.
The case attracted nationwide attention and sparked intense public debate about child protection, sexual offences and accountability within the entertainment industry.
Following his conviction, Baba Ijesha served his prison sentence and regained his freedom in November 2025.
Since his release, he has largely kept a low profile, although he has occasionally appeared on social media and attended public events.
The announcement of his son’s birth in June marked one of his first major public appearances since leaving prison, generating mixed reactions from Nigerians.
While some social media users congratulated him and wished his family well, others questioned the attention surrounding the actor because of his previous conviction.
The latest revelation about the gifts and chieftaincy title from the Ooni has again placed him in the spotlight, attracting fresh discussions online.
Supporters described the monarch’s gesture as an act of compassion and encouragement, saying everyone deserves an opportunity to rebuild their lives after serving a court-imposed sentence.
Others, however, argued that public figures convicted of serious offences should not be celebrated, reflecting the differing opinions that have continued to trail the actor’s return to public life.
Despite the mixed reactions, Baba Ijesha’s message focused on gratitude to the Ooni of Ife and members of the royal household for what he described as an overwhelming show of love.
The actor said he was honoured to receive the traditional title of **Baba Awada Konge Oduwa**, describing it as a privilege to be recognised by the ancient kingdom of Ile-Ife.
Neither the palace nor the Ooni of Ife had issued an official statement on the gifts or the chieftaincy title as of the time of filing this report.