Oyo Empire Celebration : ALAAFIN charges stakeholders to serve as a rallying point for strengthening cultural consciousness, foster collaboration among people of Oyo ancestry

                                 PRESS RELEASE 

Oyo Empire Celebration : ALAAFIN charges stakeholders to serve as a rallying point for strengthening cultural consciousness, foster collaboration among people of Oyo ancestry. 

..Nominates broad-based planning committee

The Alaafin of Oyo and the Titan of Yorubaland , His Imperial Majesty, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, has advised all stakeholders for the forthcoming Oyo Empire Day  to transcend sectional interests and work collectively to ensure that every descendant of Oyo, irrespective of place of residence, occupation, or professional background, finds a place in this unique celebration.

The Maiden Annual Oyo Empire Day Celebration is scheduled to hold from Thursday, 17th December to Saturday, 19th December 2026.

A release by his Director of Media and Publicity , Bode Durojaiye, said Alaafin gave the admonition in a message to the nominees and stakeholders for the celebration.

According to Oba Owoade , " the annual celebration should serve as a rallying point for all people of Oyo ancestry, strengthen cultural consciousness, foster collaboration among Oyo communities, encourage historical research and documentation, stimulate tourism and economic partnerships, inspire younger generations to appreciate and preserve the enduring legacy of the Oyo Empire, and further project the cultural excellence of the Oyo people to the world".

 "" Oyo Empire Day is not a celebration of Oyo Atiba alone. Rather, it is a celebration of the common ancestry, history, civilization, institutions, values, and cultural heritage of the entire Oyo-speaking people wherever they reside. It is intended to provide a unifying platform for all Oyo descendants to reconnect with their shared identity while promoting unity, historical scholarship, tourism, investment, youth development, cultural renaissance, and sustainable socio-economic collaboration"".

The breadth of participation already secured, the Paramount Ruler noted, underscores the inclusive vision of the Alaafin that every town and community with historical roots in Oyo should see itself as an integral part of this historic celebration. 

He expressed confidence in the caliber, experience, and patriotism of the Planning Committee, the Royal Fathers, and the numerous stakeholders who have embraced this vision, and is optimistic that, working together will lay a solid foundation for what is envisioned to become an enduring annual cultural and historical event of international significance.

He also expressed appreciation for the cooperation and active participation of all stakeholders in making the maiden edition a landmark event.

In further demonstration of the broad acceptance and pan-Oyo character of the initiative, Alaafin has therefore nominated eminent sons and daughters of Oyo ancestry to serve on the Planning Committee for the Celebration.

Oba Owoade is equally delighted to announce that eminent traditional rulers and other distinguished personalities from across the historic Oyo Empire have identified with the celebration and will participate as critical stakeholders in its planning and successful execution.

The Planning Committee comprises accomplished Academics, Professionals, Business leaders, Industrialists, Politicians, Technocrats, Media Practitioners, Cultural Ambassadors, Youth, Women leaders, Diaspora representatives, and accomplished sons and daughters of Oyo ancestry drawn from communities across Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Lagos States, as well as the Republic of Benin. 

Among the eminent royal fathers and stakeholders who made the list include the Olu of Ilaro, the Onimasai of Imasayi, the Olu of Owode Yewa, and the Aboro of Ibese from Yewaland ; the Olooro of Oro, the Oba of Sao, the Oranmiyan of Oko, the Ogunsua of Modakeke, the Ona Onibode of Igboho, Ajori Iwin of Irawo, Alagere of Ago Are, Alado of Awaye and many other traditional rulers in Yorubaland and Republic of Benin.

Other eminent personalities, include Professor Adejumo, Dr. Kunle Ogunmola, Dr. Wole Akanni Duro-Ladipo, Bishop Ayo Lawrence Ladigbolu, Baba Bamiji Ojo, Pa Tunde Kelani, and many other distinguished Academics, Professionals,

Entrepreneurs, Cultural Advocates, and Community leaders whose commitment reflects the collective resolve to preserve and promote the enduring legacy of the historic Oyo Empire.

The full membership of the Committee will be formally unveiled during its inauguration.

OLOYE ADESOLA ADEDUNTAN SET TO BECOME THE NEXT BALOGUN OF OYO.

OLOYE ADESOLA ADEDUNTAN, PRO CHANCELLOR ABIOLA AJIMOBI TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SET TO BECOME THE NEXT BALOGUN OF OYO.

The ancient city of Oyo will, on Saturday, September 5, 2026, host the installation of corporate leader and philanthropist Oloye (Dr) Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan as the new Balogun of Oyo by the Alaafin Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I.  

The ceremony, earlier slated for July, was postponed following the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. The victims have since been reunited with their families, though two lives were lost.

Adeduntan will succeed the late Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo, former Governor of the old Oyo State and renowned statesman, who held the title with distinction. The Balogun is one of the most senior offices in the Oyo Empire, traditionally linked to leadership, courage, and public service.  

At AFC, he served as a pioneer Director and CFO and led the strategy that secured Moody’s A3 investment-grade rating in 2014. At FirstBank, where he was GMD/CEO from January 2016 to April 2024, he drove digital transformation, stronger governance and expansion across Africa and the UK.  

Following his retirement in April 2024, Dr. Adeduntan embarked on a new chapter focused on building enduring institutions for Nigeria’s long-term development. He is the Founder and Chairman of Sequoia Holdings Limited, a group with interests in financial services, strategic minerals, professional services, energy and long-term investment platforms.  

Sequoia Financial Services Limited, launched in early 2025, provides advisory and investment services to corporate, institutional and private clients. Its sister company, Sequoia Minerals & Metals Limited, is pursuing a district-scale exploration portfolio across multiple states, with a focus on critical minerals required for the global energy transition.  

Through Sequoia Professional Services Limited, he advises boards, governments and investors on governance, strategy and institutional transformation.

In 2025, Governor Seyi Makinde appointed him Pro-Chancellor of Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan.  

A Fellow of ICAN and CIBN, Dr Adeduntan holds honorary DSc degrees from Cranfield and UI. The Balogun title will complement his existing title of Apesinola of Ibadanland, strengthening his ties to both historic cities.

Re: ALAAFIN NOT ARROGANT, BUT CONSIDERATE, VISIONARY - A Response to the Reckless Accusation and Unbecoming Remarks by Prof. Ademola Omobewaji Dasylva

               PRESS RELEASE

Re: ALAAFIN NOT ARROGANT, BUT CONSIDERATE, VISIONARY 

A Response to the Reckless Accusation and Unbecoming Remarks by Prof. Ademola Omobewaji Dasylva

It is with a deep sense of duty to truth, culture, and decorum that this response is offered regarding the unfortunate and reckless remarks credited to Prof. Ademola Omobewaji Dasylva concerning the purported late arrival of the Alaafin of Oyo, and the Titan of Yorubaland, His Imperial Majesty,  Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, to the inauguration of the Alaafin’s Institute of Yoruba Studies at Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo.

To reduce a sacred institution, a custodian of Yoruba civilization, and a monarch of global reverence to the object of public ridicule over time is not only intellectually lazy, it is culturally injurious.

The accusation that “Alaafin came  three hours late” betrays a fundamental ignorance of royal protocol and institutional coordination.

For the records, the original schedule proposed by the University indicated 11:00am as the time for His Imperial Majesty’s arrival. However, prior to the commencement of the event, the Director of Administration of the Alaafin’s Palace, who was the official interface between the Palace and the University, formally communicated that the Alaafin would be arriving with other Paramount Obas who were traveling from outside Oyo State. Consequently, it was made unequivocally clear that His Imperial Majesty’s entourage could not arrive earlier than 12:00noon or 1pm.

This communication was not an afterthought. It was made deliberately and in good faith to enable proper planning. To therefore feign surprise and launch into public castigation is either a willful disregard of facts or a deliberate act of provocation.

The Palace does not move in isolation. When the Alaafin moves, he moves with the dignity of Oyo, with the council, and often, in concert with other crowns. To expect an Imperial procession to conform to a timetable designed without full consultation is to misunderstand both monarchy and courtesy.

Prof. Dasylva is not the convener of the event. He was not part of the protocol team. He was not privy to the correspondence between the Palace and the University.  

The honorable and scholarly path, therefore, would have been to inquire from the organizers before rushing to the marketplace of public opinion with insults. 

A Professor of repute is expected to embody circumspection, research, and restraint. To substitute these virtues with uncouth outbursts is to erode the very intellectual authority one claims to wield. 

Accusation without verification is slander. Criticism without context is recklessness. And when such is directed at the throne of Oduduwa, it ceases to be commentary and becomes desecration.

The Alaafin is not a ceremonial Guest. He is the Iku Baba Yeye, the symbolic and spiritual Head of the Yoruba nation. His presence at the inauguration of the Alaafin’s Institute of Yoruba Studies was itself the highest endorsement the Institute could receive. 

To be present at all, despite a demanding Imperial calendar and the logistics of moving with other royal fathers, is a statement of commitment to Yoruba education, culture, and scholarship.

Must we now demand that the Custodian of our heritage abandon royal procedure to satisfy individual impatience? Must we trade 700 years of institutional dignity for a wristwatch?

We acknowledge Prof. Dasylva’s contributions to Yoruba scholarship. But scholarship without humility becomes arrogance. Criticism without facts becomes calumny.

We therefore demand retraction and apology for remarks made without due consultation and in disregard of prior communication from the Palace.

In future,  public commentators must seek clarification from organizers before making pronouncements on matters involving the Crown. Scholars and subjects alike,  owe it a duty to protect the dignity of Yoruba institutions from needless assault.

The Alaafin did not come “late.” He came according to schedule, as duly communicated. To say otherwise is to bear false witness.

Let it be known: The throne is not late. The throne arrives when it arrives, and history adjusts its clock to meet it.

                                                                Signed

                     Bode Durojaiye , Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom, and the Superior Head of Yorubaland.

                    .....

Canada: Alaafin Seeks Establishment Of Hydro Power Firm To Boost Oyo Electricity

By Remi Adedayo

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, on Tuesday, paid a royal visit to his former work place, Manitoba Hydro, an electricity generating company in Manitoba, Canada.

Oba Owoade is visiting Canada alongside his queen, Ayaba Abiwumi Owoade and some notable traditional rulers and Oyo chiefs.

Prior to his ascension to the throne as the Alaafin, then Prince Owoade worked at Manitoba Hydro as the Project Management Professional (Project Manager) of the power engineering firm.

PhotoSpeak:

On the entourage are Olora of Oraland - HRM Oba Rilwan Olawale Aremu Cooler, Ona Onibode of Igboholand - HRM Oba Abdurasheed Adetoyese Jayeola III and Oloro of Oro Kingdom - HRM Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye Olufayo II, who accompanied the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade I along with other members of the royal entourage to Manitoba Hydro, a power-generating company.

The visit provided an opportunity to discuss partnerships and strategies aimed at easing the strain caused by the erratic nature of electricity supply back home in Nigeria.

The Alaafin and his entourage was received on Tuesday by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Allan Danroth, alongside the management of the Manitoba Hydro.

Following the royal courtesies and reunion that highlighted the visit, the foremost traditional ruler discussed the possibility of establishing a hydro power generation station in Ikere Afonja-Oyo in Oyo State with his former employers.

The initiative by Oba Owoade, himself a power engineer, was targeted at easing the challenges of epileptic electricity supply in Oyo metropolis and Oyo State in general.

Earlier, Oba Owoade's delegation was welcomed into the North American country amid celebrations as his entourage was accorded royal welcome in Winnipeg.

Nigerians of Yoruba extractions in their numbers took turns to welcome the paramount ruler back to his former base and to pay him homage as the new Alaafin.