Oyo Palace aide defends Alaafin-elect, Owoade’s trip to Canada
The Media Team of Alaafin Oyo has defended the Alaafin-elect, Abimbola Owoade submitting that his trio to Canada is in order.
This is as a member of the team, Bode Durojaiye faulted the reported claim that Alaafin-elect abandoned the traditional rites to travel to Canada.
It was submitted that the media report was not only misleading, but also grossly mischievous.
He stated that, Oba Owoade couldn’t have put on hold the traditional rites he has not started, which he said the author of the media report also acknowledged in the body of the story.
He insisted that Oba Owoade has not started the traditional rites that will lead to his coronation on April 4, 2025.
He added that the Oyo state government is sufficiently aware of the movement and whereabouts of the Alaafin, adding that the state government is being adequately carried along and in agreement on this issue and others.
He noted that traditional rites can not be suspended or put on hold once the process commences.
Durojaiye said the monarch’s trip is within the timeframe allowed by his coronation on April 4, 2025.
According to him, “The attention of the media team to the Alaafin designate, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has been drawn to a report with the headline, “Alaafin: Owoade puts traditional rites on hold, returns to Canada.”
“This is not only misleading, but also grossly mischievous. The headline is intentionally slanted to be at variance with the body of the story, which is unfair to the Alaafin Throne.
“Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade couldn’t have put on hold the traditional rites he has not started. The Punch even confirmed this in its report: ‘Ten days after receiving the staff of office and certificate of appointment from Governor Seyi Makinde, the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has yet to begin the month-long traditional rites to pave the way for his coronation.’
“I wish to state categorically and emphatically that Oba Owoade has not started the traditional rites that will lead to his coronation on April 4, 2025. So he couldn’t have abandoned it midway for Canada.
“More so, the Oyo state government is sufficiently aware of the movement and whereabouts of the Alaafin. The state government is being adequately carried along and in agreement on this issue and others.
“Let it be known that traditional rites can’t be suspended or put on hold once the process commences. Tradition does not permit that. It MUST be completed. It cannot be shifted or broken.
“Kabiyesi’s trip is within the timeframe allowed by his coronation on April 4, 2025.
“Oba Owoade only returned to his Canada base to officially put things in proper order in his workplaces and other engagements in Canada.”
He assured the people of the ancient town among others that the monarch’s absence is not in sync with the reality on ground, urging media practitioners to apply caution while reporting matters concerning culture and tradition, especially Obaship.
“The people of ancient Oyo town, the state, Yorubaland and Nigeria should be assured that there in no disquiet about the Alaafin’s brief absence as the report would want them to believe
“Kudos must he given to the law-abiding people of the town for going about their legitimate businesses peacefully.
“We need to deliberately accord great respect to our rich culture and tradition. These are the values that standout our society distinctly from others. We should cherish these values instead of running them down in the media.
“Media practitioners are therefore advised to apply caution while reporting matters concerning our cherished culture and tradition, especially Obaship.
“All sons and daughters of Oyo, home and abroad to join hands with Oba Owoade in the Herculean task ahead. Your cooperation and contributions are needed and highly appreciated,” he added.
