The Ooni of Ife and President of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, on Saturday led a powerful delegation of over one hundred traditional rulers from Osun State and beyond to Oyo town to witness the official coronation of the new Aláàfin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, Elewu Etu I.
The coronation ceremony, held amidst cultural grandeur and national attention, followed the monarch’s formal installation and presentation of staff of office by the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on January 13, 2025.
The new king had earlier been selected by the revered Oyomesi and affirmed through the sacred Ifa Oracle, marking the end of a meticulous traditional process.
In his coronation address, Oba Owoade called for healing and harmony, urging Oyo citizens to “shun the drums of vendetta, persecution, and acrimony,” describing such attitudes as "an ill wind that blows no good."
He emphasized unity and collective responsibility in fostering peace, which he described as the foundation for human capital development and infrastructural progress in the ancient kingdom.
Ooni Ogunwusi, in a goodwill message to the press, congratulated the new Aláàfin, the Oyomesi, and the people of Oyo Kingdom. He encouraged other contenders for the throne to rally around the new monarch in the interest of unity and the continued development of the culturally significant town.
“The new Alaafin was predestined to rule. Ifa, through divine guidance, chose him among many qualified princes. Now is the time for magnanimity, inclusion, and purposeful leadership. He is now father to all,” the Ooni stated.
Governor Makinde, in his remarks at the event, reaffirmed the legitimacy of the traditional selection process and the government’s endorsement.
“On January 10, we approved the choice of the Ifa Oracle. On January 13, we presented the staff of office. Those who claim they have not been informed are welcome to come and witness history,” the governor declared.
Dignitaries in attendance included Osun State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central); Hon. Akeem Adeyemi (Skimeh), House of Representatives; and the Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams.
Also present were eminent traditional rulers from across Nigeria, including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar; the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo; the Alara of Ilara-Epe, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo; and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye.
Among the esteemed monarchs 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; the Alawo of Awon, Oba Taiwo Ajibade Adegboye; the Salu of Edunabon, Oba Adesoji Kehinde Oladepo JP; the Onigbaye of Igbaye, Oba Joseph Okunola Oni; the Adooko of Idooko, Oba Michael Adedeji; the Olomo of Omo Ijesa, Oba Michael Adeolu Adejola; the Olomu of Ijaregbe, Oba Edward Adebayo; the Oniwoye of Iwoye-Ijesa, Oba Amos Ogunolu; and the Alaagba of Aagba, Oba Rufus Ogunwole.
Others included the Afaaji of Faaji, Oba Moshood Olaleke; the Olu of Ile-Ogbo, Oba Habeeb Agbaje; the Akure of Ikire-Ile, Oba Azeez Olatunbosun; the Olororuwo of Ororuwo, Oba Bello Adeyemi; the Olulamokun of Yakooyo, Oba Isaac Oyewole Oyediran; the Oluwo-Oke of Iwo-Oke, Oba Olatunde Adediran; the Aree of Iree, Oba Muritala Oyelakin; the Olona of Ada, Oba Oyetunde Ojo; the Alasaba of Asaba, Oba Ezekiel Oyewusi; and the Obalufe of Iremo-Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura.
The coronation marks a new chapter in the history of the Oyo Kingdom, with widespread optimism about the leadership of Aláàfin Owoade, who now ascends one of the most prestigious thrones in Yorubaland.
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