The newly appointed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has arrived in Nigeria from Canada to begin his traditional rites ahead of his coronation.
Owoade touched down at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday at 6:25 p.m., accompanied by his wife. He received a warm reception from Lagos State Governor’s Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Idris Aregbe, alongside traditional drummers and dancers who added a festive touch to the occasion.
The new monarch was recently presented with his certificate of appointment and staff of office by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, officially confirming him as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
His media aide, Bode Durojaiye, confirmed that preparations for the traditional rites were already in progress.
“As part of the processes, Alaafin Owoade would visit a number of houses to offer sacrifices, make appeasements, and even sleep over at some of the houses to carry out some night rites,” Durojaiye explained.
He further stated that once these rites are completed, the Alaafin would enter Ipebi, a sacred period of seclusion within the palace, where the final ancestral rituals would take place before his official coronation.
Durojaiye emphasized the sacredness of the Alaafin institution, describing it as a pillar of Yoruba tradition that commands deep respect.
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