10 things to know about the new Alaafin of Oyo

Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade has been named the new Alaafin of Oyo.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade.

According to Oyelade, after thorough consultations and divinations, Prince Akeem was recommended by the Oyomesi and approved by the Governor of Oyo State.

Here are 10 things to know about the monarch:

1. The new Alaafin of Oyo hails from the royal Owoade-Agunloye family of Oyo, one of the surviving children of Pa Rasaki Ibiyosi Owoade.

2. The monarch attended Baptist High School, Saki, Ibadan, Oyo State. He obtained a National Diploma from The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, and a Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from The Polytechnic, Ibadan. He bagged a Bsc Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sunderland and a Msc Mechanical Engineering at Northumbria University.

3. Prince Akeem served as a Planning Engineer at Oil Reach Company in Glasgow, UK. He is currently a Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, Canada.

4. Prince Akeem is a philanthropist with his generosity displayed in the educational sector, in community projects, and during crises.

5. The monarch succeeds the late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, who died on April 22, 2022.

6. His agenda includes initiatives to empower widows and widowers, modernise the palace while preserving cultural heritage, promote Yoruba traditions.

7. His father worked for the Oyo North Agricultural Development Programme (ONADEP), helping the Oke-Ogun community boost agricultural productivity.

8. He was confirmed as the new Alaafin of Oyo by the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on January 10, 2025.

9. He worked with Oceanic Bank International Plc. in Warri as a teller (2003 to 2004).

10. He was born in 1978.