The Alaafin Abimbọla Ọwọade Local Organising Committee has released the full schedule of events for the pre-coronation, coronation, and post-coronation ceremonies of Ọba Abimbọla Akeem Ọwọade I, the 46th Alaafin of Ọyọ.
The festivities will begin on Monday, March 31, 2025, and conclude on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Pre-Coronation Events
The celebrations will commence with a Cultural Carnival Parade on March 31, showcasing Yoruba art, music, and dance to unite the people of Ọyọ and set the stage for the coronation.
This will be followed by an opening ceremony, attended by cultural and state dignitaries, alongside exhibitions that will run until April 4.
Other activities lined up for the week include:
A three-phase tree-planting campaign beginning on April 1.
A public lecture and colloquium featuring renowned scholars.
A coronation quiz competition aimed at educating young people on Ọyọ’s rich history.
On April 3, the coronation football competition will conclude, followed by the commissioning of development projects initiated by Prince Akeem Adeyẹmi member of Federal House of Representative in honor of Ọba Abimbọla Owoade I.
Coronation Day
The official coronation will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at multiple venues in Ọyọ to accommodate a large number of guests, including government officials, traditional rulers, and dignitaries from across Nigeria, international communities and the diaspora.
The traditional rites recently completed by Ọba Ọwọade will be publicly celebrated, blending royal customs with modern festivities. The day will also feature exclusive receptions for VIPs and cultural performances.
Post-Coronation Events
A series of thanksgiving services will be held, reflecting the diverse religious identities of the Ọyọ people:
A Christian thanksgiving service on April 6 at Michael Anglican Cathedral.
A Jumat prayer on April 11 at the Central Mosque, Ọja.
A traditional thanksgiving ceremony on April 12 at the Iṣẹṣe Compound, Ọyọ.
Other post-coronation activities include a free eye test campaign and distribution of eyeglasses on April 7.
Full Schedule of Events
Pre-coronation events
Monday, March 31, 2025
Cultural Carnival Parade: 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Opening Ceremony (featuring dignitaries and exhibitions): 10:00 AM – April 4
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Historic Tree Planting (Phase 1): 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Public Lecture/Colloquium: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Historic Tree Planting (Phase 2): 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Coronation Quiz Competition: 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Thursday, April 3, 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
Friday, April 4, 2025
Ọyọ Cultural Heritage Day: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Command Performance: 5:00 PM
Coronation Event
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Main Coronation Ceremony: Held at multiple venues in Ọyọ
Exclusive reception events for VIPs
Post-Coronation Events
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Christian Thanksgiving Service: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Monday, April 7, 2025
Free Eye Test and Gift of Glasses
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Iṣure Ati Idupẹ Fun Ọba Akeem Abimbọla Ọwọade I: Rituals at Eṣu Akẹsan Shrine
Friday, April 11, 2025
Jumat Thanksgiving Prayer: 1:30 PM at Central Mosque, Ọja
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Thanksgiving Service for Iṣẹṣe/Oriṣa Worshippers: 10:00 AM at Iṣẹṣe Compound, Ọyọ.
