Ooni Leads Monarchs to Alaafin’s Coronation Ceremony

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, who also serves as president of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), on Saturday led a delegation of over one hundred traditional rulers from within and outside Osun State to attend the coronation ceremony of the new Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, Elewu Etu I.

The event, held in the historic city of Oyo, marked the formal enthronement of Oba Owoade as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo. The monarch was appointed following a traditional selection process guided by the Ifa Oracle and was officially presented with the staff of office by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in January 2025.

“The new Alaafin was predestined to rule over the Oyo kingdom. He was the one chosen by the Almighty Olodumare through Ifa divination, and we are all pleased with it. Now that he has emerged out of several princes who had also wanted to be so selected, the best way he can administer the town is to be magnanimous in victory and allow all and sundry to join him in developing the ancient city of this town, known for its very rich cultural heritage in Yorubaland.” Ooni said.

Earlier in his speech at the event, Governor Seyi Makinde referenced his January 10, 2025, approval of the Ifa Oracle choice of the new king and the January 13 staff-of-office presentation, stating these steps ensured a legitimate transition.

“I officially present to the entire world the Alaafin of Oyo. Those who said they have not been told or heard or who are running up and down should come around and see the new Alaafin of Oyo.”

Among the traditional rulers who accompanied the Ooni Of Ife to the event were; 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 Onigbayevof Igbaye, Oba Joseph Okunola Oni, the Adooko of Idooko, Oba Micheal 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, the Alaagba of Aagba, Oba Rufus Ogunwole, 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, the Obalufe of Iremo-Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura and a host of others.

Also at the event were the governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, Osun state Deputy Governor, Kola Adewuai, Senator Munsurat Sumonu, Senator Yunus Akintunde representing  Oyo Central Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, Honourable Akeem Adeyemi, also known as “Skimeh,” representing Afijio, Oyo East, Oyo West, and Atiba Federal Constituency of Oyo state at House of Representatives, Abuja, the Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, 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 Olukayode Ogunsanwo and Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye.