Despite the protest by Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, Oyo Stats governor Seyi Makinde has elevated Alago-Oja and 13 other Oyo High Chiefs to crown-wearing obas and presented them with instruments of office on Friday.
The coronation ceremony took place at Oliveth Baptist High School, Oyo.
The colourful ceremony witnessed the presence of traditional rulers, political leaders, senior government officials and traditional and cultural stakeholders from across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, the deputy governor, Barrister Adebayo Lawal, said the elevation of the chiefs to obaship positions underscored the administration’s commitment to strengthening traditional institutions and promoting peace and development at the grassroots.
He congratulated the newly crowned monarchs, noting that their ascension to the status of crown-wearing Obas was both a recognition of their leadership and a reaffirmation of the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in governance, peacebuilding and grassroots community development.
He urged the monarchs to uphold integrity, fairness and service to their people, stressing that their reigns should be characteri#ed by peace, inclusiveness and support for government programmes aimed at improving citizens’ welfare in their domains.
According to him, the state government holds traditional rulers in high esteem because of their roles as custodians of culture, promoters of unity and partners in progress.
The deputy governor added that the synergy between government and traditional rulers remained vital in addressing security challenges, promoting unity and accelerating grassroots development.
Earlier, the State’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Otunba Ademola Ojo, described the event as historic and culturally significant, saying it represented not just the installation of royal fathers but a reaffirmation of Oyo’s rich heritage and enduring traditions.
He said the Yoruba traditional institution, one of the oldest and most revered in Africa, remains central to governance, culture and unity in Oyo land.
The beaded crown, he noted, is a sacred symbol of authority, service and divine responsibility, and those who wear it are called to lead with integrity, courage and compassion.
Ojo commended Governor Makinde for approving and sponsoring the programme, adding that the coronation of 14 Obas at once symbolised unity, continuity and renewal within Oyo land.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with traditional rulers for conflict resolution, cultural preservation and community mobilisation.
The newly elevated monarchs included the Alaaguo of Aguoland, Oba David Oyediran; the Baba Eyaji of Oyo, Oba Afonja Mukaila; the Alajagba of Oyo, Oba Samuel Odurinde; the Ona-Isokun of Oyo, Oba Isiaka Tella-Titiloye; the Onimileke of Imileke Oyo, Oba Fakayode Alowonle; the Onigbudugbu of Gbudugbu Oyo, Oba Salawu Oyeniran; the Oloodu of Ojongbodu, Oba Olaniyi Adegboye, and the Alapa-Ara of Apa-Ara, Oba Tijani Ajeigbe.
Others were the Onidode of Idodeland, Oba Oyeleke Yusuff; the Iba Samu of Oyo Empire, Oba Lamidi Jimoh; the Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land, Oba Ganiyu Busari; the Agbaakin of Oyo, Oba Asimiyu Jimoh; the Alakeitan of Akeitan, Oba Jimoh Oyeleye; Elepe of Iseke, and Oba Abel Oyekan.
Major highlight of the ceremony was the official presentation of instruments of office comprising the staff and certificates as well as the formal crowning of the monarchs.
Present at the event were the Olubadaban of Ibadanland represented by the Asipa Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, former Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, members of 10th Oyo House of Assembly from Oyo zone, top government functionaries and political leaders.
It would be recalled that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, had approached the Supreme Court seeking an order to restrain the Oyo State government from elevating and crowning the high chiefs in his kingdom.
