Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, will host former Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau and ambassadors of nine countries at his coronation ceremony which holds from 31 March to 12 April, 2025.
Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Olu of Warri, Oba Ogiame Atuwatse III, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, among others, will lead prominent traditional rulers from within the country and the Republic of Benin to the event.
Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Alaafin Coronation Committee, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, disclosed this at a press conference held at palace in Oyo, on Thursday, to announce the programme of event for the coronation of the 46th Alaafin.
The immediate Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, joined his ancestors in April, 2022 after spending 52 years on the throne.
As contained here in a list by the Culture Ambassador to the Alaafin, Dr Paula Gomes, the diplomats that will be around for the coronation included Ambassador Paulo Santos (Portugal); Ambassador Miriam Morales Palmero (Cuba);
Deputy Ambassador Stanislaw Gulinski (Poland); Mrs Eva Barta, Culture Adviser, Mr. Juan Diego Martin, Mrs Belen Calvo, Mrs Lucia Covadonga, Mrs Maria Higon, Chargee D Affaires, Mr. Jose Maria Ferre, Consul (all from the Embassy of Spain).
It was stated that the Ambassadors of Brazil and Colombia have no flight to Ibadan as all flights have been booked out on that date, hence they will need security and transport support from the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, to be able to attend.
The Culture Ambassador to the Alaafin also listed the confirmed foreigners coming to include Thales Henrique de Melo Gomes, Carlos Fernando Baptista Giovanna, Gabriela Tuas da Cruz, Marcelo Gonçalves Jardim, Aline rosa de Oliveira, Celso Soares de Miranda Filho, and Daniel Oliveira, journalist (all from Brazil) and Julie Viana (from France).
The Alaafin Coronation LOC chairman, said the event will be colourful and memorable, noting that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure safety of lives and property before, during and after the event.
He listed the three-phase activity to include pre-coronation, coronation and post-coronation events, adding that they will run from Monday, 31 March to Saturday, 12 April, 2025.
“We are aware of the fact that a lot of people coming for the event will also be interested in moving round town and also visit the Palace.
“First impression, as the saying goes, lasts longer. Whatever the impression they get on that day will make a lasting impression on them.
“Plans are on to ensure adequate coverage. We will ensure that nobody is left behind; everybody will be carried along.
“For security, the state government is in control in the face of kidnappings around neighbouring towns. Everybody is working hard to ensure security
“A lot of collaborations are ongoing among the various security agencies to ensure a hitch-free coronation event,” he said.
Dr Ogunmola also disclosed that there would not be major renovation of the Palace before the coronation, noting part of the attraction is its age and historic structure.
“However, there will be major rebuilding and restructuring after the coronation. After the coronation. What will be done will be taken over by the state government.
“The LOC is of the opinion that the Palace will be cleaned up, but it will maintain its historical structure. We should be expecting a brand new Palace by the end of the year.
The Chief of Staff to Alaafin Owoade, Mr Rotimi Osuntola, corroborated the chairman of the Alaafin Coronation LOC as he said will be crowd control and access cards for invitees.
“We can assure you of adequate security. The various satellite locations were provided to prevent mass movements. It is going to be a very big event,” he added.
Also present at the press conference was the mogaji of the Owoade Family, Mogaji Rasheed Adediwura Owoade, who said the new Alaafin was God-anointed.
He said Oba Owoade had been predicted to become the Alaafin, even before conception, noting that, unlike other ruling houses, he was presented as the sole candidate of the Owoade Family for the throne.
Mogaji Owoade said the new Alaafin, on Wednesday, picked the traditional Calabash of Honey, signifying that Oyo Town will witness peace, prosperity, growth and development during his reign.
