Oba Abimbola Owoade has officially been crowned as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, succeeding the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83.
The coronation ceremony took place on Monday, January 13, at Olivet Baptist High School in Oyo and was attended by prominent traditional rulers, dignitaries, and government officials. It was a momentous occasion marking the beginning of Oba Owoade's reign over the Oyo Kingdom.
Earlier in the day, Oba Owoade was presented with the staff and instrument of office by Governor Seyi Makinde at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The event was an important official act that marked the formal acknowledgment of the new monarch's authority.
Governor Makinde led a host of traditional rulers, including the Olubadan of Ibadanland, 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 Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, to the coronation ceremony, showing unity among the Yoruba traditional rulers.
Oba Owoade’s ascension followed the completion of the traditional 21-day Oro Ipebi rites, which ended on Saturday, March 29. The rites are an essential part of the Oyo Kingdom's traditions, marking the transition and readiness of the new king to take up his responsibilities.
Speaking at the ceremony, High Chief Oyewale emphasized that while the process of selecting a new Alaafin often attracts varied interests akin to an election, unity is eventually restored once a new monarch emerges. He remarked that despite the diverse interests during the selection, harmony is quickly restored once the new king is crowned.
“There is no more crisis within Oyo Mesi. Whenever a new king is to be installed, there are various interests and it’s one among them who will be chosen. The moment the Alaafin has been selected, all members of the council will come together,” he stated, underscoring the importance of unity for the Oyo Kingdom after the coronation.
See more photos below;
