Just ten days after receiving his staff of office and certificate of appointment from Governor Seyi Makinde, the newly appointed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has yet to begin the month-long traditional rites required for his coronation.
On January 13, during a ceremony at the Oyo Governor’s Office in Ibadan, Governor Makinde confirmed that the coronation of the new Alaafin would take place in four weeks.
“The coronation will happen in four weeks, but today I’m handing over the certificate and staff of office,” Makinde said at the time.
After the presentation, Owoade made a triumphant return to Oyo town, where he was warmly welcomed by the local community. He also visited his family home, where he was greeted by relatives and friends.
However, in a surprising turn, the Alaafin-elect departed for Canada the very next day, contrary to expectations that he would immediately begin the traditional rites to meet the four-week deadline set by the governor.
Sources revealed that Owoade needed to return to Canada to officially resign from his professional commitments.
“He (Owoade) is still in Canada. He has to finalize his resignation from his workplaces and complete necessary paperwork before coming back to Oyo,” a source disclosed to The PUNCH on Wednesday.
Owoade is a Nigerian-Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the President of 100279 Manitoba Limited, a real estate investment and financial services company based in Manitoba, Canada.
He also serves as the Project Coordinator for Manitoba Hydro, one of Canada’s largest electric power and natural gas utility providers.
As of Wednesday, those involved in the traditional rites are still awaiting Owoade’s return to begin the ceremonial process.
“He hasn’t started the rites yet. We believe he is still preparing himself. The process is extensive, involving multiple sacrifices and rituals. It is continuous and requires visiting several places, so he needs to be fully prepared,” one of the traditionalists explained to The PUNCH.
The rites, which include Ipebi (seclusion), are essential for the spiritual preparation and authority of the Alaafin. The Ipebi ritual involves various key figures, such as the Oluawo (Ifa priest), who serves as the spiritual guide during this period, along with the Oyo Mesi, priests, and priestesses who perform prayers, sacrifices, and offer spiritual support.
In addition to the Ipebi rituals, the Alaafin-elect will perform additional rites at significant locations, including the Baba Iyaji residence, Ona Isokun, Ilemole, and Bara, before proceeding to the Koso chamber for his crowning. In the Koso chamber, he will be crowned with the royal headdress, symbolizing his spiritual authority.
He will also make offerings to the Orishas and his ancestors to strengthen his divine connection.
Meanwhile, Oyo State’s Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, confirmed to The PUNCH on Wednesday that the state government has officially set April 4 as the date for the new Alaafin’s coronation.
