Felicitation as new Alaafin’s coronation nears

Oyo’s new monarch, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, is to be officially crowned on Saturday, April 5, ascending the town’s much revered throne.

Earlier this year, on January 10, Oba Akeem Owoade’s nomination was approved by the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde. Subsequently, the latter presented the staff of office to the former, hence, undoubtedly consolidating his position as the new ruler of Oyo.

The coronation has been structured by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) into three phases: pre-coronation events, coronation event and post-coronation events, spanning from the opening ceremony on Monday, March 31, by the honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun and the LOC chairman, Dr Kunle Ogunmola, to Saturday, April 12.

Some of the activities to take place within the two-week-long coronation programme include: exhibitions, quiz competition, free eye tests, cultural carnival parades, historic tree planting, commissioning of projects, amongst others, while utilizing a variety of venues for the smooth running of the events marking the ascension of the 46th Alaafin.

With his coronation in a bit, every corner of the town holds banners of congratulations to the new king. “We now have a king, after years. Finally, we will no longer be referred to as a ‘fatherless’ people,” his subjects have said. The people of Oyo and well-wishers alike offer laudatory messages and express excitement as they felicitate with the new Iku Baba Yeye.

Azeezat Azeez,  Oyo, Oyo State.

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