GOVERNOR Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the selection of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
The development comes two years after the death of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, former occupier of the throne and the crisis that trailed the appointment of his successor.
In a statement on Friday, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, said the governor had consented to the appointment of a new king whom he said was chosen after extensive consultations and traditional divinations conducted by the Oyo kingmakers, the Oyomesi.
The commissioner prayed that his reign would bring peace, prosperity and unity to the historic Oyo Kingdom.
According to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honourable Ademola Ojo, this announcement resolves all the socio-political and legal disputes that have arisen since the passing of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, on 22 April 2022.
This report reveals 15 things you should know about the new Alaafin:
1. Prince Akeem Owoade is a Nigerian and Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and president of 100279 Manitoba Limited, a real estate investment and financial services business in Manitoba, Canada.
2. Prince Owoade was born in 1978 to a prominent royal family of Owoade-Agunloye in Oyo town.
3. He is one of the surviving children of Pa Rasaki Ibiyosi Owoade, a descendant of Aremo Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade, Agure Compound, Oyo town in Oyo State, Nigeria.
4. Prince Akeem Owoade completed his secondary school education at Baptist High School, Saki, Oyo State, Nigeria, in 1992.
5. His father worked for the Oyo North Agricultural Development Programme (ONADEP), helping the Oke-Ogun community boost agricultural productivity.
6. 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), Oyo State.
7. He completed his NYSC with Nigeria Gas Company as a Mechanical Intern/Planner in 2002.
8. After the completion of his NYSC, he worked with Oceanic Bank International Plc. in Warri as a teller (2003 to 2004).
9. Prince Akeem Owoade decided to further his education in the United Kingdom, where he attended the University of Sunderland (2008) and earned a Bachelor of Science.
10. He attended Northumbria University (2012), from where he earned his Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
11. Prince Akeem Owoade became certified in Project Management in June 2015.
12. He held a Planning Engineer position at Oil Reach Company, Glasgow, United Kingdom, for several years before moving to Canada for greater opportunities.
13. Prince Akeem Owoade is currently the Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, Canada, one of the largest electric power and natural gas utility providers in Canada.
14. Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade was officially confirmed as the new Alaafin of Oyo on Friday, 10 January 2025, by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
15. He will be coronated as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, succeeding late. Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, who joined his ancestor in April
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