The ancient town of Oyo has once again come alive with cultural splendour and regal excitement as Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade ascends the throne as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo. After a three-year interregnum following the passing of the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the revered stool of the Alaafin has finally found a new custodian, ushering in a historic era for the Yoruba kingdom.
In anticipation of the coronation, security in Oyo town has been intensified, with a heavy deployment of operatives across strategic locations to ensure the safety of dignitaries, residents, and tourists arriving in droves for the monumental event. The buzz and bustle across the kingdom mirror the gravity of the occasion, which many describe as not just a coronation, but the rebirth of royal majesty.
Oba Owoade, 49, is a distinguished entrepreneur and philanthropist with footprints in Nigeria and Canada. Hailing from the respected Owoade-Agunloye royal lineage of Agure Compound in Oyo, he is a direct descendant of Aremo Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade. His late father, Pa Rasaki Ibiyosi Owoade, was a revered custodian of tradition, making the new monarch’s ascension both ancestral and symbolic.
In January, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, officially appointed Prince Akeem Owoade as the Alaafin and presented him with a certificate of appointment, putting to rest a prolonged and contentious selection process that had kept the kingdom in suspense. However, the announcement also triggered a wave of legal tussles, as opposing camps filed suits contesting the appointment—a common feature of royal succession in Yorubaland.
Adding to the mystique of the transition, a 21-day traditional rite known as Oro Ipebi was initiated on March 7, with a dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily to preserve the sanctity of the sacred rituals. The rites culminated in today’s coronation ceremony, Saturday, April 5, 2025, setting the stage for a royal celebration steeped in age-old customs.
The grand coronation ceremony, expected to be attended by royal fathers, political leaders, cultural enthusiasts, and members of the diplomatic corps, will further affirm Oba Owoade’s legitimacy and his role as the spiritual and cultural guardian of the Oyo Empire.
Earlier, Governor Makinde had formally presented the staff and certificate of office to the monarch at a colourful ceremony held at the Government House in Agodi, Ibadan. The governor hailed Oba Owoade as a unifying force, pledging his administration’s continued support to uphold the cultural heritage of the Oyo Kingdom.
“Today, we are not just crowning a king; we are celebrating the resilience, unity, and timeless traditions of our people,” Makinde declared, describing Oba Owoade as a forward-thinking leader destined to reposition Oyo on the path of progress and cultural renaissance.
As the drums roll and royal trumpets echo through the corridors of the Oyo palace, the people look ahead with optimism and pride. The new Alaafin, an embodiment of modern intellect and ancestral wisdom, is poised to lead the ancient kingdom into a new chapter of glory, tradition, and transformation.
PIONEER NEWS 