A new chapter has begun in the history of the Oyo Kingdom as Oba Abimbola Owoade was officially installed as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
He succeeds the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83.
The grand ceremony was held on Saturday at Oliveth Baptist High School in Oyo town. The event drew several distinguished guests, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who led a high-powered delegation of notable figures.
Among the prominent traditional rulers in attendance were the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi; and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams.
Ahead of the coronation, the state government had reinforced security across the city and its environs by deploying personnel to key areas to maintain order during the festivities.
The monarch had earlier received the symbolic staff and instrument of office from Governor Makinde on January 13, 2025, in Ibadan.
His traditional ascension rites, known as the Oro Ipebi, concluded on March 29, completing all necessary cultural protocols before taking the throne.