Oyo Town, the historic seat of the Oyo Empire, was agog with royal splendour and cultural grandeur on Saturday 5th April, 2025 as the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife and spiritual head of the Yoruba race, led over a hundred traditional rulers from Osun State and beyond to the official coronation ceremony of the new Alaafin of Oyo, His Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, Elewu Etu I.
The occasion, which has gone down as one of the most prestigious traditional events in recent history, also witnessed the gracious presence of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; and the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III—symbolizing a powerful convergence of cultural and spiritual leadership across Nigeria.
The Ooni of Ife, who also serves as the President of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC) and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), stormed the event with a long procession of royal fathers, reaffirming the cultural unity and ancestral bond of the Yoruba traditional institution.
The newly crowned Alaafin, who had earlier received his staff of office from the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, in January 2025 following a meticulous selection process guided by the Ifa Oracle, used the occasion to preach peace and unity. In his address, Oba Owoade urged the people of Oyo to steer clear of “beating the drums of vendetta, persecution, and acrimony,” warning that such acts “are ill winds that will not blow any good.”
“Promoting peace and communal unity is a collective responsibility,” the monarch added. “Peace creates an enabling environment for human capital formation and infrastructure development.”
Speaking to journalists, the Ooni congratulated the new Alaafin, the Oyomesi, and the entire Oyo kingdom, while charging all other contestants to bury the hatchet and support the new monarch in his efforts to restore and advance the glory of the Oyo kingdom.
“The new Alaafin was predestined to ascend the throne by the will of Olodumare through the sacred Ifa divination process,” Ooni Ogunwusi declared. “He should be magnanimous in victory, extend a hand of fellowship to all, and rally the kingdom together in unity. Only then can the rich legacy of Oyo continue to thrive.”
Governor Makinde, in his remarks, reaffirmed the legitimacy of the process that brought Oba Owoade to the throne, referencing the January 10 approval of his selection and the January 13 presentation of the staff of office. “I officially present to the entire world, the Alaafin of Oyo,” he stated. “Those still in doubt should come and see what is evident today.”
Among the high-profile traditional rulers who accompanied the Ooni were the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Ayotunde Olabomi JP; the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Akanbi Adediran; the Oluresi of Iresi, Oba Sikiru Adeseun Ibiloye; and the Alawo of Awon, Oba Taiwo Ajibade Adegboye, among many others.
Other prominent dignitaries included Osun State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central); Hon. Akeem Adeyemi (“Skimeh”), Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams; the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo; the Alara of Ilara-Epe, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, and a host of distinguished guests.
The coronation marks a new dawn for the Oyo kingdom, one steeped in cultural resurgence, unity, and royal collaboration — with Oba Owoade now occupying one of the most revered thrones in Yorubaland and across Africa.
