Safiu Kehinde
Oba Akeem Owoade has been crowned as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
Owoade’s coronation, held on Saturday at Oliveth Baptist High School, officially marked the beginning of his reign.
The new monarch becomes the 46th Alaafin of Oyo following his nomination approval by the state governor, Seyi Makinde.
NPO Reported that Makinde had on the 13th of January presented the staff of office to Owoade to mark his journey to ascension to the throne vacated by the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi who passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83.
Owoade’s ascension reportedly follows traditional protocols, including the completion of the 21-day Oro Ipebi rites on March 29.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Owoade thanked Governor Makinde for his unrelenting support to the traditional institution in the state.
He equally appreciated the indigenes of Oyo town both at home and in the Diaspora for their unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in him towards ascending the throne of his forefathers.
The new Alaafin called for shared responsibilities, cordial relationships and unity among the communities to foster a sense of belonging, overcome challenges, and ultimately pave the way for progress, growth and expansion of the economy for Oyo kingdom in particular and that of the state in general .
Present at the historic event were the representatives of the governors of Osun and Ondo states, Chief Kola Adewusi (Osun State Deputy Governor) and Prince Olusegun Omojuwa (Chief of Staff to Ondo State Governor); Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde; Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governors of Oyo State, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja and Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Also present were Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi and the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni.
The event also had in attendance a wide array of traditional rulers across the country, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi; Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba (Dr) Victor Kiladejo; Oloro of Oro, Oba Joel Titiloye and scores of royal fathers from Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa and Oke Ogun zones of the state.
Also in attendance were the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola; Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams; former military administrator, old Oyo and Ogun states, General Oladayo Popoola (rtd); Ambassadors of Portugal, Cuba, Brazil and Spain to Nigeria; members of the National Assembly, and captains of industry, among others.