The coronation of Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo will take place over two weeks, with pre-coronation, coronation, and post-coronation events

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) has announced the official schedule for the long-awaited coronation of Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.

The celebrations will span two weeks, beginning on Monday, March 31, and concluding on Saturday, April 12, offering a rich blend of cultural, traditional, and spiritual events.

The festivities will be divided into three main phases: pre-coronation, coronation, and post-coronation. Each phase will showcase Oyo’s vibrant culture and community spirit, allowing both locals and visitors to experience the grandeur of the historic event.

**Pre-Coronation Events: March 31 to April 4**

The pre-coronation phase will begin with a grand cultural carnival parade on March 31 at 7:30 a.m., followed by the official opening ceremony at 10:00 a.m. at the Oba Adeyemi Mini Stadium, Ode Aremo.

The event will be graced by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatunbosun, and LOC Chairman, Kunle Ogunmola.

Throughout the pre-coronation week, there will be several key events, including:

– **Oyo Cultural Heritage Day**
– **A historic tree-planting ceremony**
– **Public lecture and coronation quiz competition**
– **Football match**

This vibrant series of events is designed to bring together the people of Oyo, celebrate their heritage, and prepare for the official coronation of the new monarch.

**The Coronation Ceremony: April 5**

The grand coronation will take place on Saturday, April 5, at Olivet Baptist Heights (OBHSO), with festivities unfolding across various locations in the state.

The OBHSO field will host the Governor and other dignitaries, while VIP guests will be accommodated at Olivet Baptist Academy for parking, and the general public can access Ladigbolu Grammar School.

Additional venues for the ceremony include A.U.D. Primary School (Alagbon/Owode), Methodist Primary School (Apaara), L.A. Town School (Saabo, Oyo), N.A. Town School (Isale Oyo), Oba Adeyemi Mini Stadium (Ode Aremo), Old Oyo National Park, and ADS Primary School.

**Post-Coronation Activities: April 6 to April 12**

Following the coronation, the post-coronation period will include a series of inter-faith prayers, traditional rituals, and community services. Notable events include:

– **Christian Thanksgiving Service** at St Michael’s Anglican Cathedral on Sunday, April 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
– **Free eye tests and distribution of eyeglasses** on Monday, April 7.
– **Isese/Orisa worshippers’ Isure/Idupe ceremony** on Wednesday, April 9, at the Esu Akesan shrine, Akesan, Oyo.
– **Muslim special Jumat prayer** on Friday, April 11, at the Central Mosque, Oja, at 1:30 p.m.
– **Final Thanksgiving service** by the Isese/Orisa worshippers on Saturday, April 12, at Adinua, Ole Compound, Obe Apo, Oyo.

The LOC encourages residents and well-wishers to participate in these historic events, which mark the official installation of Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.

This celebration will not only honour the new monarch but also offer a momentous occasion for all to engage with the rich cultural traditions of Oyo.