Alaafin moves to ancient palace in Oyo

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, on Tuesday, moved to the ancient Palace in Oyo town, nine months after his installation as the new traditional ruler.

This was contained in a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Reports has it that Oba Owoade was presented with the Staff of Office on Friday, April 5, 2025, by Governor Seyi Makinde following the demise of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who passed away in April 2022 at the age of 83, after a 52-year reign, making him the longest-reigning Alaafin.

His demise prompted mourning across the Yoruba community, with his remains being interred, according to Islamic rites, after traditional rites were concluded in Oyo town.

Makinde, while presenting Oba Owoade to the mammoth crowd in 2025, said, “On January 10, 2025, I applied my signature for the recommendation of Oyo Mesi for Oba Akeem Owoade to be a new Alaafin of Oyo.

“And on January 13, 2025, I presented a certificate of office to our Kabiyesi. I have done my work since, but today, I officially present to the entire world, the Alaafin of Oyo.

“Those who said they have not been told or heard or who are running up and down should come around and see the new Alaafin of Oyo,” Makinde stated.

Durojaye, in a statement on Tuesday, said, “The Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom, Oba Owoade 1, will today (Tuesday) move to the ancient Palace located at the Oke Afin area of Oyo town.

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“The ancient Palace was in ruins, and an empty shell, as all the facilities inside it were not only vandalised, but the structures in the edifice required urgent rehabilitation and reconstruction. But soon after he ascended the throne of his forefathers, Oba Owoade began the arduous task of rehabilitating part of the ancient Palace, thus preserving the tangible Yoruba cultural heritage.

“The rehabilitation works are being supervised by the Personal Assistant to the Alaafin, Kolade Oladele. The Palace structures, bold, sturdy and resilient as they stood, are radiating their timeless beauty and charm through well-structured layouts, carefully crafted columns, windows and doors, bearing the artistic patterns and imprints of the ancient Oyo art.

“Almost all the houses had courtyards, while the finer and stronger-looking structures had more than one courtyard. Each of the courtyards is surrounded by rooms that open into the courtyard. A visit to the ancient Palace will no doubt convince one that it is indeed a storehouse of Yoruba culture and tradition.

“The Palace is adorned with works of art, various forms of sculptures that include the carved wooden house posts, and door panels, which are the traditional status symbol of wealth and royalty.

“Modern figures of lions and hunters are made from mortals, while walls are decorated with mosaics and painted murals depicting scenes from life,

as the decorated calabash and imaginary beings.”

The statement said residents were in high spirits and trooped out to give a befitting welcome to their monarch as he stepped into the citadel of the Yoruba race.

“The people, both young and old, love and admire their King as a serious-minded Paramount Ruler, Leader of thought, and Man of excellence for his unflinching commitment to development, peace, unity and mutual coexistence not only in the Kingdom, but the entire Yoruba race.”