The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has established a 97-member local organizing committee to oversee the preparations for his coronation ceremony scheduled for April 5, 2025. Speaking from Ibadan, the state capital, his Chief of Staff, Rotimi Osuntola, announced that former Independent National Electoral Commission Commissioner Kunle Ogunmola would chair the committee, with Adediwura Owoade serving as vice chairman.
Among the distinguished members are notable figures such as Victor Adeleke, the State Chief of Protocol to President Bola Tinubu; Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; and two prominent members of the Oyomesi, High Chief Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin) and High Chief Lamidi Oyewale (Saamu). The committee also includes former Oyo Central Senatorial District lawmaker Monsurat Sunmonu, current lawmaker Dr. Yunus Akintunde from the same district, and House of Representatives member Akeem Adeyemi.
The committee boasts a strong representation from traditional leadership as well, with figures like High Chief Samuel Olu Odurinde (Alajagba), High Chief Mukaila Afonja (Baba Iyaji), High Chief Isiaka Tella (Ona ‘Sokun), High Chief Ganiyu Ajiboye (Oloja of Ago Oja), High Chief Ademola Oyediran (Alaguo), and High Chief Taiwo Olabanji (Baale Onigbanla of Gbanla). Gbenga Eko, the Barejiroro Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, also features prominently, representing the Aare Ona Kakanfo, Iba Gani Adams.
This newly formed committee will work in tandem with an earlier 25-member committee, inaugurated by the Oyo State government and led by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Ademola Ojo, to ensure the smooth execution of the ceremony. According to DIP CONNECT NEWS, the monarch had previously disowned an unofficial committee purporting to handle the coronation, vowing to personally announce and empower an official team.
Oba Owoade approved the 97-member committee on Monday, with its inauguration scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, at the Alaafin’s palace in Oyo. The committee's roster also includes other key figures such as Olayide Owoade, Ayoade Owoade, Tolani Owoade, Taiwo Owoade, and Azeez Fatimo (nee Owoade); Rotimi Osuntola; members of the Oyo State House of Assembly—Gbenga Oyekola, Olorunpoto Rahaman, and Oladeji Oparinde; Segun Taiwo; Akeem Owoade; Oke Adejare Adisa; Oyedemi Olutunde Ojolowo (Mogba Koso); Yakubu Mustafa (Otun Efa); Oladele Kolade; Akintayo Suulola (Akure); Olaleye Ismail (Imam Agure); and Lati Eleyele (acting Imam of Oyo land).
Additional members include local government and council development area chairmen, the Iyaloja of Oyo, Adijat Bakare, and representatives from sectors such as medicine, nursing, the zonal command of Amotekun, the Federal Road Service Corps, the Fire Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as Divisional Police Officers from Atiba, Oyo-West, Oyo-East, and Afijio local government areas, along with the Department of State Security at Atiba.
Osuntola emphasized that this local committee will collaborate closely with the team set up by Governor Seyi Makinde to facilitate comprehensive planning and a flawless execution of this historic event. “This momentous occasion is designed to unite Yoruba land by actively engaging stakeholders from within and beyond the region,” the statement read. “Our ultimate goal is to deliver an all-inclusive, groundbreaking, and seamlessly executed coronation that proudly showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people to the world.”
