Former Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, four ambassadors from different countries, alongside over 200 Canada-based Oyo indigenes are among the dignitaries expected at the coronation of the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade.
Other dignitaries are first-class traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo; the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III; Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, among others.
The Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the coronation, Adekunle Ogunmola, announced this on Thursday during a press briefing, held at the Alaafin’s Palace in Oyo town.
Ogunmola said, “Oba Owoade confirmed to the committee to prepare to host the former Canadian Prime Minister, Trudeau, and Ambassadors of Spain, Brazil, Colombia and Portugal are also coming.
“About 200 Oyo indigenes who are also based in Canada have signified their intentions to be part of epoch-making events.”
Ogunmola assured that adequate security measures were being planned to ensure safety of lives and property during the ceremony.
The coronation ceremony, which will hold on Saturday, April 5, 2025, will commence with a week-long activities beginning from Monday, March 31, 2025.
It will kick off with a cultural parade in the town on Monday, March 31 and end with a Christian thanksgiving service on Sunday, April 6.
There will be a public lecture/colloquium on Tuesday, which will be anchored by Prof. Anthony Asiwaju, Akin Alao and Siyan Oyeweso.
Thursday will witness command performance of Aremo Aderonmu (A stage play written by Gbemi Faleti) at Ajayi Crowther University.
While the actual coronation is slated for Saturday, there will be historic tree planting on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday will be cultural heritage day while several projects will be inaugurated in honour of the new monarch.
The PUNCH
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