The ancient town of Oyo was a hive of activity on Sunday as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, conferred the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
Dignitaries from across the country converged on the historic town for the ceremony, with guests arriving early ahead of the traditional ceremony.
Seyi Tinubu and his wife arrived at the venue amid tight security and a cheering crowd.
The title, Okanlomo of Yorubaland — loosely translated as ‘the beloved child’ or ‘one dear to the hearts of all Yoruba people’ — is said to symbolise the role of a custodian of Yoruba values, unity and cultural heritage.
The ceremony attracted a large gathering of political leaders, traditional rulers and top government officials. Among those in attendance were the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
Also present were members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), including the Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun; and the Statistician-General of the Federation, Adeyemo Adeniran. Senator Teslim Folarin was also in attendance.
Former Kano State Governor and national political leader, Abdullahi Ganduje, joined several traditional rulers from across Nigeria and the Republic of Benin at the event.
The conferment of the title further added colour to the historic town, as residents and visitors thronged the palace area to witness the ceremony, which blended royal pageantry with cultural displays celebrating Yoruba heritage.
Also conferred with the title of ‘Obaloyin of Yorubaland’ is Sen. Abdul’ aziz Yari, representing Zamfara West Senatorial District.
Yari is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation.
The event offers petty traders the opportunity to make brisk business around the venue, with ace Fuji musician, Saheed Osupa, on the music stand.
It was reported that Oyo, a pre-colonial kingdom in present-day Nigeria, was founded about a thousand years ago by Oranmiyan of the Yoruba people of West Africa.
It quickly grew to one of the most powerful states in the Yoruba-speaking region.
