The newly appointed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has specified his official title as His Imperial Majesty Iku Baba Yeye Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, Alaafin of Oyo.
This declaration comes amid the commencement of traditional rites leading up to his coronation, scheduled for April 5, 2025.
Oba Owoade recently returned to Nigeria from Canada to begin these essential ceremonies.
The rites involve visits to ancestral sites for sacrifices and appeasements, followed by a seclusion period known as “Ipebi” within the palace, culminating in the final traditional rituals.
The statement reads: “This is to inform the general public that the proper manner of addressing the Alaafin for all activities and in the media is EXACTLY as follows:
“HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY IKU BABA YEYE OBA ABIMBOLA AKEEM OWOADE I ALAAFIN OF OYO
“The number after OWOADE is the Roman Numeral One (I), not the English Number One (1).
“The public is enjoined to adhere strictly to use the wordings as exactly as stated above and without adding prefix or suffix to any of the names as stated above.”
