I was sleeping in Canada when destiny called,’ says Alaafin Owoade
Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, the newly crowned Alaafin of Oyo, has shared the remarkable and humbling journey that led to his emergence as the monarch of the historic Yoruba kingdom. In a recent interview with the Nigerian Tribune, the engineer-turned-king revealed that he never actively sought the throne and had no prior connections with those in power. "I swear to Almighty God, I didn't know the governor. I never met him before. It was based on Ifa divination that I became the Alaafin of Oyo," Oba Owoade said. He received the news of his selection while in Canada, where he was surprised to learn of his new role. Initially, Oba Owoade declined the invitation to contest for the stool, but after persuasion from family members, he changed his mind. "I said I was not interested. But, after some persuasion, I gave in. Thank God I am here as the Alaafin and I am in Oyo to stay," he said. Oba Owoade expressed deep appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde for respecting tra...