The Ooni of Ife, who is also the Co- Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Saturday, led hundreds of traditional rulers from within and outside Osun State to the cultural city of Oyo for the official coronation of the new Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, Elewu Etu I.
It is instructive to note that Oba Owoade was appointed and presented with the Staff of Office by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the state Government House on January 10, 2025 after a selection process through Ifa Oracle.
Making his speech at the epoch event, the soft spoken newly coronated Alaafin urged the Oyo citizens and residents to avoid “beating the drums of vendetta, persecution, and acrimony,” stressing that such actions “are ill wind that will not blow any good”.
Emphasising on peace and unity in Oyo kingdom, Alaafin Owoade called for communal harmony, stating that “promoting peace and communal unity is a collective responsibility” and that “peace creates an enabling environment for human capital formation and infrastructure development”.
In his chat with journalists at the event, Ooni Ogunwusi expressed his heartfelt felicitations with the new Oyo monarch, Oyomesi, and the good people of Oyo kingdom, charging all the other contestants to join hands with Oba Owoade for the development of the kingdom which is a very important town in Yorubaland.
The Ooni also assured Oba Owoade the full support and cooperation of all the monarchs from Yorubaland and Nigeria at large, urging him to rally all his subjects including members of the Oyomesi and those who contested alongside with him for the throne as he can not do it alone and that he is now father of all.
The revered monarch said, “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 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.”
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 January 13 staff-of-office presentation, saying the steps ensured a legitimate transition.
Makinde said , “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, 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, the Onigbaye of 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 Governor Seyi Makinde, Osun state Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, Senator Munsurat Sumonu, Senator Yunus Akintunde representing Oyo Central Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, Hon Akeem Adeyemi, also known as “Skimeh,” representing Afijio, Oyo East, Oyo West, and Atiba Federal Constituency of Oyo state at House of Representatives, the Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo, the Alara of Ilara-Epe, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III and other prominent dignitaries
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