Oba Abimbola Owoade has officially been crowned as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, succeeding the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83.
The coronation ceremony was held on Saturday at Oliveth Baptist High School in Oyo and was attended by prominent dignitaries.
Leading the event was Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, accompanied by several traditional rulers and notable figures, including 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 Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams.
Ahead of the coronation, the Oyo State Government implemented extensive security measures, deploying personnel across key areas in the city and its environs to ensure safety during the historic event.
Oba Owoade had earlier received the staff and instrument of office from Governor Makinde at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan on Monday, January 13, 2025.
He recently completed the traditional 21-day Oro Ipebi rites on Saturday, March 29, a prerequisite for assuming the revered throne.
The coronation marks a new chapter in the rich history of the Oyo Kingdom.