The new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has reportedly returned to Canada days after receiving the staff of office and certificate of appointment from Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The Oba was expected to begin a month-long traditional rites to pave the way for his coronation, according to reports by Oyo Affairs. However, the new monarch postponed the event to officially close his business engagements in Canada.
During the January 13 presentation to Owoade at the Oyo Governor’s Office, State Secretariat, Ibadan, Governor Makinde had declared that the coronation of the new Alaafin would take place in four weeks’ time.
“The coronation proper will take place in four weeks, but today I will hand over the certificate and staff of office,” Makinde said.
After receiving the certificate and staff of office, the Alaafin-elect headed to Oyo town where he was given a triumphant entry by the residents of the town. He also visited his family house in Oyo town where he was received by family and friends.
However, contrary to the belief that the Alaafin-elect would immediately commence traditional rites to beat the four-week deadline set by the Oyo State Governor for coronation, Oba Owoade reportedly jetted out to Canada the following day.
It was gathered that Owoade had to return to his Canadian base to officially resign from his workplaces and engagements.
“He (Owoade) is still in Canada. He has to resign from the places he works in Canada and perfect all those papers before returning to Oyo,” a source told Punch on Wednesday.
The Alaafin-elect is a Nigerian and Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and President of 100279 Manitoba Limited, a real estate investment and financial services business in Manitoba, Canada. Owoade is the Project Coordinator at one of the largest electric power and natural gas utility providers in Canada, Manitoba Hydro.
As of Wednesday, individuals and groups that the Alaafin-elect is mandated to visit to carry out enthronement rites said they still awaited Owoade to begin the rites.
“He is yet to commence the traditional rites. We believe he is still preparing himself and getting ready. The process is long as he has to offer several sacrifices and do rituals. It is non-stop; once he starts, he has to visit many places, so he has to be ready. I can’t specifically state the number of days that the rituals will take, but it will be close to a month, as that includes the Ipebi rituals too,” one of those involved in the traditional rites told The PUNCH.
Documents relating to the Alaafin installation indicate that the divinely selected candidate goes to Ipebi for traditional rites and is installed as the new king after the completion of all the traditional rites.
The Ipebi (seclusion) ritual involves several individuals and groups playing key roles in guaranteeing the spiritual well-being and authority of the Alaafin. Among them is the Oluawo (Ifa priest) who serves as the spiritual guide and advisor to the Alaafin through the Ipebi ritual. The Oyo Mesi, priests, and priestesses also play roles in offering prayers, performing sacrifices, and providing spiritual support.
Other traditional rites require the Alaafin-elect to perform additional enthronement rites at the Baba Iyaji residence, Ona Isokun, Ilemole, and Bara before he proceeds to the Koso chamber, accompanied by his chiefs and priests. In the Koso chamber, the Alaafin-elect will be crowned with his royal headdress, symbolizing his renewed spiritual authority. He also would perform additional rituals and make offerings to the Orishas and his ancestors, solidifying his connection with the divine.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, confirmed to newsmen on Wednesday that the state government had approved April 4 as the date for the coronation of the new Alaafin.
