•Markets, businesses shut in honour of new king
By Oluseye Ojo
The Alaafin-Designate, Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has arrived in Nigeria from his base in Manitoba, Canada, ahead of his installation as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
Sources said he arrived in Nigeria on Sunday from Canada, via New York in the United States.
Immediately, he landed at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, he moved to Ibadan, where he stayed till this morning.
The new Alaafin is billed to receive certificate of office early this morning at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan.
Sources said Owoade would proceed from where he lodged in Ibadan from Sunday till this morning to receive the certificate. He will be accompanied by some of his friends and family members that followed him from Canada and New York to Nigeria, as well as his trusted people that are based in Nigeria.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who will be assisted by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo and other top government officials, is expected to present the certificate to the new Alaafin.
Impeccable sources said after the collection of the certificate, Owoade would proceed to the ancient Oyo town, which is 50 minutes drive on a good road from Ibadan, the state capital.
As a mark of honour for the new monarch, all markets in Oyo town would not open today.
It was further gathered that there would be no work in Oyo town today as well.
Indigenes and residents of Oyo town are also expected to troop out en masse to welcome the new king.
Traditional drummers and singers, as gathered, have finalised preparations on doing what they know how to do best.
The Alaafin-Designate received the news that his appointment as Alaafin, was approved by Governor Seyi Makinde on Friday last week.
His emergence was announced by the Oyo State government, more than two years and eight months after the demise of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, who joined his ancestors on April 22, 2022.
A source in Oyo town said Owoade, a holder of Master of Science (MSc) in Mechanical Engineering from Northumbria University, might go into seclusion after landing in Oyo town for traditional rites that have always preceded the official installations of every Alaafin.
It was further gathered that a team of experts have been sent to the palace in Oyo town to assess the facility and make the palace suitable for the new Alaafin.
It was also gathered that the security architecture of the ancient Oyo town has been beefed up towards ensuring that there is no breakdown of laws and orders.