Prince Abimbola Owoade, has been formally crowned the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oyo State, South-West Nigeria.
He was crowned on Saturday at a ceremony on held at Oliveth Baptist High School in Oyo.
The Monarch was on Monday, January 13, 2025, presented with the staff and instrument of office by the State Governor, Seyi Makinde, at his Office in Ibadan, the State capital.
He had also completed the 21-day traditional rites, known as “Oro Ipebi”, a mandatory ritual before his ascension to the throne, last Saturday, March 29.
Owoade’s coronation is coming almost three years after the passing of the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who died on April 22, 2022.
The event was attended by Governor Seyi Makinde and other dignitaries, including the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi; and Aare Oona Kankanfo of Yoruba, Iba Gani Adams, among others.
There was tight security at the venue of the coronation ceremony.
247nextnews.com reports that the new Alaafin on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, officially announced how he wished to be addressed.
The Oyo palace in a statement, stressed the correct manner of addressing the Monarch, stating: “This is to inform the general public that the proper manner of addressing the Alaafin for all activities and in the media is EXACTLY as follows: His Imperial Majesty Iku Baba Yeye Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, Alaafin of Oyo.”
It further clarified that the numeral “I” after “Owoade” is a Roman numeral and should not be mistaken for the English number one.
The statement enjoined members of the public to adhere strictly to use the wordings as exactly as stated and without adding prefix or suffix to any of the names.
