Nollywood actor James Olarenwaju, widely known as Baba Ijesha, has disclosed that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, honoured him with a brand-new car, lavish gifts and a chieftaincy title to celebrate the birth of his son.

The comedian and Yoruba film star made the revelation in a heartfelt message on social media, where he praised the Ife monarch for what he described as an overwhelming show of support to him and his wife, fashion designer Abiodun Tokunbo, popularly called Luminee.

In the post, Baba Ijesha expressed deep appreciation to the Ooni, describing the gesture as both a royal endorsement and a personal lifeline after a turbulent period in his life. He said the monarch not only received the couple warmly at the palace but also showered them with gifts culminating in the presentation of a new car.

He further revealed that the Ooni conferred on him the chieftaincy title “Baba Awada Konge Oduwa,” a title that situates him within the cultural and comedic heritage of Ile Ife, regarded as the cradle of the Yoruba people. The honour, he suggested, symbolises his acceptance back into a community where he identifies himself as “a son of the soil.”

The celebration around the newborn and the royal recognition follows weeks of intense public scrutiny. The announcement of the child’s birth by Luminee on social media triggered a wave of reactions, as many Nigerians debated the couple’s relationship and Baba Ijesha’s return to public life.

Earlier, Luminee had shared posts revealing her pregnancy and the baby’s gender without initially naming the father. Subsequent photographs featuring the designer and Baba Ijesha together, including maternity-themed images, confirmed their partnership and drew a flood of congratulatory messages from fans and colleagues in the entertainment and fashion industries.

Baba Ijesha’s latest milestone comes after a highly publicised legal battle that saw him convicted of indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault of a minor. He served a three-year prison sentence before regaining his freedom. His re-emergence, now marked by royal favour from the Ooni of Ife, has reignited conversations about redemption, public forgiveness and the place of traditional institutions in shaping the narratives of controversial public figures.