The newly appointed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, has arrived in Nigeria from Canada ahead of his traditional rites leading to his official installation on April 5, 2025.
The revered monarch landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 6:25 p.m. on Wednesday.
He was warmly received by the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Idris Aregbe, who led a grand welcome at the airport.
Oba Owoade’s return marks the beginning of a series of customary rites deeply rooted in Yoruba tradition. He is expected to visit ancestral homes across Oyo town to offer sacrifices and perform appeasements, some of which may require overnight stays for sacred night rituals.
Following these engagements, the Alaafin will enter a period of seclusion known as ‘Ipebi’ within the palace. This phase is a crucial final step before his official coronation, symbolizing spiritual purification and preparation for kingship.
The traditional rites underscore the historical continuity and cultural significance of the Alaafin institution, reinforcing the deep-rooted traditions of the Oyo monarchy.
