Alaafin-elect Suspends Enthronement Rituals, Returns to Canada

By Dansu Peter  Ten days after receiving the staff of office and certificate of appointment from Governor Seyi Makinde, the Alaafin-elect of...

By Dansu Peter 

Ten days after receiving the staff of office and certificate of appointment from Governor Seyi Makinde, the Alaafin-elect of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has delayed the commencement of traditional enthronement rites. Instead, he has returned to Canada to address personal and professional obligations.  

During the official presentation on January 13, Governor Makinde announced that the coronation ceremony would take place within four weeks. “The coronation proper will take place in four weeks, but today I will hand over the certificate and staff of office,” Makinde stated at the event held at the Oyo Governor's Office, Ibadan.  

Following the presentation, Oba Owoade received a warm welcome in Oyo town, where he visited his family house amidst celebrations by residents. However, contrary to expectations that he would immediately begin the month-long traditional rites leading to his coronation, the Alaafin-elect departed for Canada the next day.  

Sources revealed that his trip was necessary to finalize his resignation from professional roles in Canada and to complete other formalities. “He has to resign from the places he works in Canada and perfect all those papers before returning to Oyo,” a source disclosed.  

Oba Owoade is a dual Nigerian-Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the President of 100279 Manitoba Limited, a real estate and financial services firm, and a Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, one of Canada’s largest utility providers.  

Meanwhile, individuals and groups involved in the traditional enthronement process confirmed they are yet to commence the required rites. “He is yet to begin the rituals. Once he starts, it will be a continuous process involving sacrifices and visits to specific places. It will take close to a month, including the Ipebi rituals,” an insider stated.  

The Ipebi ritual, a critical seclusion period, precedes the official installation of the Alaafin. During this process, spiritual leaders, including the Oluawo and the Oyo Mesi, play significant roles in offering sacrifices and prayers to establish the Alaafin-elect’s spiritual authority.  

Other traditional rites include visits to notable locations such as the Baba Iyaji residence, Ona Isokun, Ilemole, and Bara, culminating in the crowning ceremony in the Koso chamber. There, the Alaafin-elect will don the royal headdress, symbolizing his spiritual and temporal authority.  

In the meantime, Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, has confirmed April 4 as the official coronation date for the new Alaafin.