* Oba Akeem Owoade
By Ibidapo Olowolayemo, Ibadan
Friday April 4, 2025
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All is now set for the coronation of
Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
Born 47 years ago to a prominent and royal family of Owoade-Agunloye in Oyo town, the new Alaafin of Oyo is one of Aremo Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade, Agure Compound, in the ancient Oyo Town.
Oba Owoade completed his secondary school education at Baptist High School, Saki.
His father worked with the Oyo North Agricultural Development Programme (ONADEP), helping the Oke-Ogun community in boosting agricultural productivity.
He studied Mechanical Engineering at Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State, at the National Diploma level from 1994 to 1997 and Higher National Diploma at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, from 1999 to 2001.
He did his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with Nigeria Gas Company as a Mechanical Intern/Planner in 2002.
He worked with Oceanic Bank International Plc. in Warri, Delta State, as a cashier from 2003 to 2004.
He attended the University of Sunderland (2008) and Northumbria University (2012), from where he earned a Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering, respectively.
He became certified in Project Management in June 2015 (PMP holder) and held a Planning Engineering position at Oil Reach Company, Glasgow, United Kingdom, for some years before moving to Canada.
Oba Owoade 1, until the royal mantel fell on his shoulders, was the Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, Canada, one of the largest electric power and natural gas utility providers in Canada.
Alaafin Owoade is a Nigerian and Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and President of Manitoba Limited and owns a real estate investment and financial services business in Manitoba, Canada.
A release issued by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, Bode Durojaiye, said besides hotels and guest houses that had been fully booked for guests, posters and billboards of the new Alaafin adorned every nook and cranny of the town.
It stated that virtually all township roads were being rehabilitated to make them motorable for invited guests who would attend the historic event, as residents were “in high spirits amid pomp and celebration in motorcades round the town.”
“At the Olivet Baptist High School, the main venue of the coronation ceremony, special canopies for the invited guests are being erected while security arrangements are in top gear.
“Apart from the popular Akesan market that will be under lock and key for the event, all other markets in and around the town will also follow suit,” Durojaiye said.
The release explained further that Oba Owoade 1 had urged the people to celebrate with moderation by not beating drums of vendetta, persecution, and acrimony, “as these are the ill wind that will not blow any good.
“Promoting peace and communal unity is a collective responsibility of every indigene of the ancient town.
“Peace and unity are important tools for community development, as peace is a fundamental asset to building personal growth, community development, and robust institutions.
“Peace creates an enabling environment for human capital formation and infrastructural development.”
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