The newly appointed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade may have  rreturned to Canada just days after receiving the staff of office and certificate of appointment from Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

The delay comes despite expectations that the new monarch would immediately begin a month-long series of traditional rites in preparation for his coronation.

During the official presentation on January 13, held at the Oyo Governor’s Office in Ibadan, Governor Makinde announced that the coronation of the new Alaafin would take place in four weeks.

“The coronation proper will take place in four weeks, but today I will hand over the certificate and staff of office,” Makinde said at the event.

After receiving the staff of office and certificate, the Alaafin-elect traveled to Oyo town, where he was warmly received by the town’s residents with a triumphant entry.

He also visited his family house in the town, where family and friends welcomed him.

Contrary to expectations that Oba Owoade would begin his traditional rites immediately to meet the four-week coronation deadline set by the governor, he reportedly left for Canada the very next day.

Sources disclose  that Owoade returned to Canada to complete business obligations, including resigning from his professional roles.

“He (Owoade) is still in Canada. He has to resign from the places he works in Canada and finalize all his business papers before returning to Oyo,” a source confirmed on Wednesday.

Oba Akeem Owoade is both a Nigerian and Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the President of 100279 Manitoba Limited, a real estate investment and financial services company based in Manitoba, Canada.

READ ALSO : Makinde inaugurates Owoade as Alaafin Oyo

He also serves as the Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, one of Canada’s largest electric power and natural gas utility providers.

As of Wednesday, sources involved in the traditional rites of his enthronement confirmed that Oba Owoade had yet to begin the rituals. “He is yet to commence the traditional rites. We believe he is still preparing himself and getting ready.

The process is long as he has to offer several sacrifices and perform rituals. It is non-stop; once he starts, he has to visit many places, so he has to be ready. I can’t specifically state the number of days the rituals will take, but it will be close to a month, as that includes the Ipebi rituals too,” one of those involved in the rites told The PUNCH.

The Ipebi ritual, a key part of the traditional rites, involves a period of seclusion where the Alaafin-elect undergoes several spiritual rituals.

This phase requires the participation of various traditional figures, including the Oluawo (Ifa priest), who serves as a spiritual guide, as well as the Oyo Mesi (royal councilors), priests, and priestesses, who perform prayers, sacrifices, and offer spiritual support.

In addition to the Ipebi, the Alaafin-elect will also participate in further rites at locations such as the Baba Iyaji residence, Ona Isokun, Ilemole, and Bara, before proceeding to the Koso chamber.

In the Koso chamber, he will be crowned with the royal headdress, symbolizing his spiritual authority.

He will also offer rituals and sacrifices to the Orishas (gods) and his ancestors, cementing his divine connection.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Oyo State’s Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, confirmed to the press that the state government had officially approved April 4 as the date for the new Alaafin’s coronation.

This announcement signals that the traditional rites and preparations are expected to conclude in time for the event.

Reported by PUNCH