OYO State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, has approved the selection of Prince Akeem Owoade as the 22nd Alaafin of Oyo.
The Nigerian Tribune had reported on Friday that the Oyo State government had commenced moves to elect a new Alaafin after a prolonged delay.
The appointment of the new Alaafin was contained in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Oyelade, in the statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Friday, disclosed that after thorough consultation and divination, the kingmakers, otherwise known as the Oyomesi, recommended Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin.
He said their recommendation was subsequently approved by Governor Makinde.
Oyelade said he was quoting a statement issued by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ademola Ojo, who said that the announcement had put to rest, “all the socio and legal bickering that had ensued since the demise of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, on 22 April, 2022.”
Ojo called on all citizens of Oyo State to join the government in celebrating “this momentous occasion” and lend their support to the new Alaafin of Oyo.
The commissioner prayed that the reign of the new oba would bring peace, prosperity and unity to the historic Oyo kingdom.
Profile of the Alaafin-elect
Prince Akeem Owoade is a Nigerian/Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and president of 100279 Manitoba Limited, a real estate investment and financial services business in Manitoba, Canada.
Born about 50 years ago to the royal family of Owoade-Agunloye in Oyo town, Prince Akeem Owoade is one of the surviving children of Pa Rasaki Ibiyosi Owoade, a descendant of Aremo Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade of Agure Compound in Oyo town.
Prince Akeem Owoade completed his secondary school education at Baptist High School, Saki, Oyo State, in 1992. His father worked for Oyo North Agricultural Development Programme (ONADEP), helping Oke-Ogun community in boosting agricultural productivity.Best online courses
Taking an early interest in engineering, Prince Akeem Owoade began his engineering studies by completing his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State (1994 to 1997) and The Polytechnic, Ibadan (1999 to 2001). He did his National Youth Service with the Nigeria Gas Company as Mechanical Intern/Planner in 2002. After the completion of his NYSC, he worked with Oceanic Bank International Plc in Warri as a teller (2003 to 2004).
Prince Akeem Owoade decided to further his education in the United Kingdom where he attended the University of Sunderland (2008) and Northumbria University (2012) from where he earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering, respectively. He became certified in Project Management in June 2015 (PMP holder).
He was chosen by the entire Owoade-Agunloye family as the preferred candidate to represent Owoade family in the Alaafin of Oyo race in 2022.
Owoade was a planning engineer at Oil Reach Company, Glasgow, United Kingdom for some years before moving to Canada where he was a Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, Canada (one of the largest electric power and natural gas utility providers in Canada).
History of his lineage
Alaafin Atiba migrated from Oyo Ile to settle at a place known as Ago Doyo as a result of the Fulani war around 1837. He thus started the current Alaafin dynasty in Oyo.
Alaafin Atiba gave birth to Agunloye and Alowolodu. After the transition of Alaafin Atiba, Agunloye ascended the throne of his forefathers in 1859 and was succeeded by Alowolodu Adeyemi I in 1875 and reigned till 1905. In 1905, Lawani Agogo Ija, the son of Agunloye became the Alaafin. He joined his ancestors in 1911.
Alaafin Lawani Agogo Ija was blessed with three children from his wife, Ayaba Solape Awero. The names of the children are Ladigbolu, Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade and Rabi. Ayaba Solape Awero was the daughter of Otakinrinpa, a great warrior from Iwo.
Ladigbolu succeeded their father Lawani Agogo Ija in 1911 as the next Alaafin. In appreciation of Prince Owoade’s efforts to make Ladigbolu become Aremo, Alaafin Ladigbolu made Prince Owoade his Aremo. Unfortunately, Aremo Owoade died in 1927 and he could not succeed his brother who also joined his ancestors in 1944. As a result of this, Alaafin Muhammed Bello Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II succeeded his father as the Alaafin in 1956 after Adeyemi Alowolodu II.
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