Oba Abimbola Owoade has been crowned the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
Owoade replaces Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, who passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83.
The coronation ceremony was held today (Saturday) at Oliveth Baptist High School in Oyo, with Governor Seyi Makinde leading a group of dignitaries, including prominent Nigerians.
The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi; and the Aare Oona Kankanfo of Yoruba, Iba Gani Adams, among others, attended the coronation.
Chronicle NG reports that ahead of the event, the Oyo State Government had put in place heightened security measures, including the deployment of security operatives at strategic locations within the ancient city and surrounding communities.
Oba Owoade, who was presented with the staff and instrument of office on Monday, January 13, 2025, in the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, the state capital, succeeds the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
The new monarch finished the mandatory 21-day traditional rites known as Oro Ipebi on Saturday, March 29.