A former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, has been named the chairman of the local organising committee (LOC) for the coronation of the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade I.
The 97-member committee approved by the Alaafin is expected to work with the one earlier set up by the Oyo State Government to ensure seamless coronation of the new monarch scheduled to hold on April 5, 2025 in Oyo town.
The committee was unveiled through a statement signed by the Chief of Staff to the new monarch, Rotimi Osuntola, which stated: “His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Engr. Akeem Abimbola Owoade I, has approved the establishment of the Local Organising Coronation Committee to oversee the successful coordination of activities marking his ascension to the throne.
“As part of its responsibilities, the committee will collaborate closely with the committee set up by the Oyo State Government to ensure seamless planning and execution.”
Osuntola said the inaugural meeting of all committee members will hold on February 12, 2025, at the Alaafin’s Palace in Oyo.
He added that the historic event aims to unite Yorubaland, with the active participation of stakeholders from within and beyond the region.
“The ultimate goal is to deliver an all-inclusive, epoch-making, grand, and hitchfree coronation that proudly showcases the rich Yoruba cultural heritage to the world,” the statement noted.
Aside from Ogunmola, other members of the committee include Prince Owoade Adediwura, Vice Chairman; Prince Owoade Olayide, Prince Owoade Kazeem Ayoade, Prince Owoade Tolani, Prince Owoade Taiwo, Princess Azees Fatimo (nee Owoade), Rotimi Osuntola, Arch-bishop Prince Ayo Ladigbolu, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, and the State House Chief of Protocol, Amb. Victor Adekunle Adeleke.
Others are High Chief Asimiyu Atanda, the Agbaakin of Oyo; High Chief Lamidi Oye Wale, Basaamu of Oyo; High Chief Samuel Olu Odurinde, Alajagba; High Chief Mukaila Afonja, Baba Iyaji; High Chief Isiaka Tella, Ona ‘Sokun; High Chief Ganiyu Ajiboye, Oloja of Ago oja; High Chief Ademola Oyediran, Alaguo; High Chief Taiwo Olabanji and Baale Onigbanla of Gbanla.
The committee also has Barejiroro and Alagba Gbenga Eko as representatives of the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams; Senator Akintunde Yunus, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi (Skimeh), Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, Hon. Olorunpoto Rahaman, Hon.Prince Oladeji Oparinde, Hon. Segun Taiwo and Prince Akeem Owoade Ayelabola as members.
Also as members of the committee are Oke Adejare Adisa, Mr.Oyedemi Olutunde Ojolowo, Mogba Koso; Oloye Alaafin Yakubu Mustafa – Otun Efa, Rev. Oladele Kolade, Rev. Akintayo Suulola (Akure), Alhaji Olaleye Ismail (Imam Agure), Alhaji lati Eleyele, acting Imam of Oyo land; Hon. Emmanuel Aikomo, Hon. Waliu Adekunle, Hon Sola Oluokun and Prince Olukitibi.
Chairpersons of Sóró, Oyo South-East, Oyo South-West, Afijio-West LCDAs, as well as Prince Wale Gbadegesin, Engr. Idris Adeoye, Engr. Kolawole Kazeem Raji, Arch. Abayomi Ajisafe, Prof Kola Owolabi, Chief Fola Okediran, Alhaja Adijat Bakare, the Iyaloja of Oyo are also members of the LOC.
Also, the representatives of doctors, nurses, Zonal Commandant of Amotekun, Adebowale Fakayode, representatives of FRSC, Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; the DPOs of Atiba, Oyo-west, Oyo-East and Afijio LGAs, DSS Atiba, and Park Manager/Management representatives are members of be coronation committee.
Drawn into the LOC coronation committee are also Chief Logun, Alhaji Rasaki Salawu, Alhaja Latifat Adekunle (Omo Osu), Prince Moshood Owoade (Omo Ile), Mr. Afolabi Saidi Sogo, Alhaji Amusa Ramoni, Malam Danlamin, Seriki of Hausa Community; Alhaji Lawan Seriki – Fulani Community representative; Alhaji Sule Harsul Seriki, Fulani Community, Oyo State; Musa lbraheem – Togo Community; Arogun Sulaiman, Head, Sabe Community; Nze Felis Ononuju, Head, Igbo Community; Mr. Adebayo Quadri – representative for Onisona; Mr. Lukmon Azeez Fagoke, representative of artworks; representatives for Aso-Oke weavers and representatives of Adire (tie and dye) traders are also in the committee.
Listed are also Mr Musibau Taiwo, Yeye Simisade Kuku, Mr. Ademola Adeniyi, Deaconess Funmilayo Ojoawo, Mrs. Elegbede Bunmi, Olubunmi Olabiyi, Hon. Segun Taiwo, Alhaja Bimbo Akinola, Prince Afolabi Aderemi, Mr. Bayo Ajibade, Dr. Ademola Adeleke, Prof. Seun Kolade, Prince Siyanbola Afeez Oladigbolu, Barrister Tunji Oludele and Princess Kafayat Owoade.
The rest are Prince Layi Owoade, Alhaji Tajudeen Adeyemi, Honourable Adeola Oladejo, Chief Ona Okola, Alhaji Kagbafolorun, Mrs Kudirat Afolabi (nee Bello) and Prince Remi Ajibade.
