Olayiwola Matthew
Oba Abimbola Owoade has been crowned the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
Owoade succeeds the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who died on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83.
The coronation event took place today (Saturday) at Oliveth Baptist High School in Oyo, where Governor Seyi Makinde led a host of dignitaries, including notable Nigerians.
The coronation ceremony comes just three years after the passing of the previous Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi. Governor Makinde and Oba Owoade made their entrance in a convoy of cars, with the new monarch seated in a Mercedes Benz G-Wagon.
The atmosphere at the venue, which had been vibrant since 7 a.m., was charged with excitement immediately the governor and the new monarch arrived.
Two large, beautifully decorated canopies were set up to accommodate distinguished guests from across the country. President Bola Tinubu is represented by Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power.
Other dignitaries attending the event include the Statistician General of the Federation and CEO of the National Bureau of Statistics, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran; the wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde; Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal; Deputy Governor of Osun, Prince Kola Adewusi; Chief of Staff to the Ondo State Governor, Prince Olusegun Omojuwa; Oyo State Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin; and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, among other prominent government officials
In addition to government dignitaries, several royal fathers are in attendance, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; the Oluwo of Iwo Land, Oba Abdulrashid Akanbi; Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams; and the Eze Ndigbo of Southwest, Dr. James Oramadike.
Other notable figures present include the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dahud Makanjuola; Bishop Taiwo Adelakun; former MILAD, General Adebayo Popoola; Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola; Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Titiloye; and Asigangan of Igangan, Oba Rafiu Ariwoola, among many others.