A committee for the coronation of the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, has been inaugurated by the Oyo State government.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday from the office of the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
According to the statement, the inaugural meeting of the committee was presided over by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Honourable Ademola Ojo.
Among the committee members are four members of the Oyo State cabinet -Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Musibau Babatunde; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun; Hon. Ademola Ojo and Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Alaafin Coronation Committee has three House of Assembly members from Oyo Constituency, including Hon. Gbenga Oyekola (Atiba State Constituency); Hon. Rahman Olorunpoto (Oyo East/Oyo West Constituency) and Hon. Oladeji Oparinde (Afijio Constituency).
Hon Akeem Olukitibi, Hon Wahab Adetunji, Hon Sola Oluokun and Hon Olufemi Aikomo, chairmen of Afijio, Oyo West, Atiba and Oyo East local government areas, respectively, seven family members of the new Alaafin, Oba Owoade, religious leaders and other stakeholders are also in the committee.
According to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, arrangements have started in earnest to ensure a successful coronation of the new Alaafin, in strict compliance with the tradition of the people of Oyo.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Oyelade, recalled that in the past five years, the Governor ‘Seyi Makinde-led administration has coronated 10 obas and 40 baales.
He further stated that Governor Makinde expected everyone involved in the coronation of the new Alaafin to be diligent and give maximum support for the success of the event.
Recall that Governor Makinde had, three weeks ago, presented the instruments of office to Oba Owoade as the successor to the throne following the death, in April, 2022, of the 44th Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.
While the Oyo Mesi and nine royal families, known as the Atiba 9, kicked against the appointment of Oba Owoade, the governor insisted that he did not meddle in the process that threw up the new Alaafin.
He said his administration believed in openness and transparency, noting that the Alaafin Stool is important, not just to Oyo Town, but to the Yoruba race as a whole.
