The Oyo Kingdom has ushered in a new era with the official announcement of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo. His emergence, approved by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, marks a moment of hope and promise for the historic Yoruba kingdom.
Meet Prince Akeem Owoade
Prince Akeem Owoade, 47, is a Nigerian-Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a distinguished project controller at Manitoba Hydro, one of Canada’s leading power utility providers.
Born into the royal Owoade-Agunloye family of Oyo Town, he is the descendant of Aremo Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade from Agure Compound in Oyo Town.
Education
Prince Akeem Owoade completed his secondary school education at Baptist High School, Saki, Oyo State, in 1992 while staying with his father, who worked for Oyo North Agricultural Development Programme (ONADEP) in Oke-Ogun zone of Oyo State.
Prince Akeem Owoade studied engineering in his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from ‘The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State (1994 to 1997) and The Polytechnic, Ibadan (1999 to 2001), Oyo State. Nigeria respectively.
He did his NYSC with Nigeria Gas Company as a Mechanical Intern/Planner in 2002.
After the completion of his NYSC, he worked with Oceanic Bank International Plc. in Warri as a teller. (2003 to 2004).
Prince Akeem Owoade furthered his education in the United Kingdom, where he attended the University of Sunderland (2008) and Northumbria University (2012), from where he earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering, respectively.
Prince Akeem Owoade became certified in Project Management Professional in June 2015 (PMP) certification.
He is also the founder and president of 100279 Manitoba Limited, a real estate and financial services firm in Canada.
Known for his humility, charisma, and dedication to service, he has consistently supported the less privileged in Nigeria and abroad.
Cultural and Historical Commitment
Prince Owoade is passionate about preserving Yoruba culture. His leadership aims to ensure that the rich history, traditions, and values of the Oyo Kingdom thrive for generations. His commitment to collaboration with institutions like UNESCO and the Center for Yoruba Language Engineering further highlights his dedication to cultural preservation.
A Legacy of Leadership
The new Alaafin’s reign symbolizes a blend of tradition and modernity. His global exposure, entrepreneurial expertise, and deep-rooted cultural values set the stage for a prosperous and unified Oyo Kingdom.
As Prince Akeem Owoade takes on this revered role, the people of Oyo and the Yoruba race at large look forward to a reign of peace, progress, and cultural renaissance.
Prince Akeem Owoade’s plans for the Throne as Published by Nigeria Tribune during the application and selection process on October 19th, 2022 include;
Prince Owoade brings a global perspective and a progressive vision to the Alaafin’s throne. His promises include:
– Establishing schemes to empower widows and widowers.
– Modernizing the Alaafin’s palace while preserving Yoruba culture and traditions.
– Promoting cultural awareness through museums and festivals that celebrate Yoruba heritage.
– Advocating for the repatriation of Yoruba artifacts taken during the colonial era.
– Creating an industrial park to drive economic growth and attract investors.
– Partnering with international organizations to provide vocational training and youth empowerment programs.
– Supporting cultural villages for artisans and promoting Yoruba language immersion programs globally.
