The Alaafin Abimbola Owoade Local Organising Committee has released the full schedule of events for the pre-coronation, coronation, and post-coronation ceremonies of Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade II, the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.

The celebrations, which reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Oyo Kingdom, are set to begin on Monday, March 31, 2025, and run through Saturday, April 12, 2025.

PUNCH Online reports from a flyer that detailed timeline of events over the two weeks on Monday.

The main coronation, slated for Saturday, April 5, 2025, will formally usher in a new chapter in the Oyo Kingdom?s history, marking the culmination of traditional rites that the Alaafin recently completed to solidify his royal ascendancy.

Pre-Coronation Events

The festivities will kick off with a Cultural Carnival Parade on March 31, a vibrant display of Yoruba art, music, and dance aimed at uniting the people of Oyo and setting the stage for the ceremonies ahead.

The parade will be followed by an opening ceremony, presided over by cultural and state dignitaries, and exhibitions that will run until April 4.

Throughout the week, the committee has lined up activities emphasizing culture, education, and environmental consciousness.

These include a three-phase tree-planting campaign starting April 1, a public lecture and colloquium featuring renowned scholars, and a coronation quiz competition designed to engage the youth in learning about Oyo?s rich history.

On April 3, the coronation football competition will conclude, followed by the inauguration of development projects initiated by Prince Akeem in honour of Oba Abimbola Owoade II.

Coronation Day

The highlight of the schedule, the Grand Coronation, will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

The event will be held across multiple venues in Oyo to accommodate the expected influx of guests, including high-ranking government officials, traditional rulers, and dignitaries from across Nigeria and the diaspora.

Traditional rites, which Oba Owoade recently completed, will be publicly celebrated on this day, blending royal customs with modern festivities.

Exclusive receptions for VIPs and cultural performances will add grandeur to the occasion.

Post-Coronation Activities

The celebrations will continue with a series of thanksgiving services tailored to the diverse religious identities of the Oyo people.

A Christian thanksgiving service is scheduled for April 6 at the Michael Anglican Cathedral, followed by a Jumat prayer at the Central Mosque, Oja, on April 11.

Traditional worshippers will hold their thanksgiving on April 12 at the Isese Compound in Oyo.

To mark the coronation?s impact on the community, a free eye test campaign and distribution of eyeglasses will take place on April 7, symbolising the Alaafin?s commitment to social welfare and inclusive leadership.

Alaafin Owoade?s Journey to the Throne

The Alaafin stool had remained vacant since the passing of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III in April 2022, leaving the Oyo Kingdom in anticipation of a new leader.

Oba Abimbola Owoade was selected after extensive consultations among the Oyomesi and other kingmakers, and he received his staff of office from Governor Seyi Makinde on January 13, 2025.

Oba Owoade?s installation followed all requisite traditional rites, which underscored the spiritual and cultural sanctity of the Alaafin?s position.

The Alaafin recently announced his official title, signaling his readiness to uphold the customs of the throne while steering the Oyo Kingdom toward progress and unity.

The Local Organising Committee has called on Oyo residents, Yoruba descendants worldwide, and well-wishers to participate actively in the historic celebrations.

?This coronation is not just for the Alaafin; it is for the entire Oyo Kingdom and the Yoruba race,? a committee spokesperson stated in an earlier report.

Here?s a timeline of the coronation activities for Alaafin Abimbola Owoade as presented in the schedule:

Pre-Coronation Events

Monday, 31st March 2025

Cultural Carnival Parade: 7:30 am ? 10:00 am

Opening Ceremony: 10:00 am (featuring dignitaries and exhibitions lasting until Friday, 4th April).

Tuesday, 1st April 2025

Historic Tree Planting (Phase 1): 7:30 am ? 9:30 am

Public Lecture/Colloquium: 10:30 am ? 1:30 pm

Wednesday, 2nd April 2025

Historic Tree Planting (Phase 2): 8:00 am ? 11:00 am

Coronation Quiz Competition: 12:00 pm ? 3:30 pm

Thursday, 3rd April 2025

Historic Tree Planting (Phase 3): 8:00 am ? 11:00 am

Coronation Football Competition (Final): 12:00 pm ? 1:00 pm

Commissioning of Projects: Honoring Prince Akeem?s initiatives.

Friday, 4th April 2025

Oyo Cultural Heritage Day: 10:00 am ? 3:00 pm

Command Performance: 5:00 pm

Coronation Event

Saturday, 5th April 2025

Main Coronation Ceremony: Held at multiple venues in Oyo. Exclusive reception events for VIPs.

Post-Coronation Events

Sunday, 6th April 2025

Thanksgiving Service (Christian): 11:00 am ? 1:00 pm

Monday, 7th April 2025

Free Eye Test and Gift of Glasses: Marking the coronation.

Wednesday, 9th April 2025

Isure Ati Idupe Fun Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade II: Rituals at Esu Akesan Shrine.

Friday, 11th April 2025

Thanksgiving Jumat Prayer: 1:30 pm at the Central Mosque, Oja.

Saturday, 12th April 2025

Thanksgiving Service for Isese/Orisa Worshippers: 10:00 am at Isese Compound, Oyo.

Highlight of Events for Alaafin Abimbola Owoade?s pre-, post-, and coronation activities (The PUNCH)

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