“Royal Return: Oyo Erupts in Celebration as Alaafin Reclaims Restored Ancient Palace”
Jubilation swept through Oyo town as residents rolled out the drums to welcome the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, into the historic Alaafin’s Palace at Oke Afin, marking a momentous chapter in the annals of the ancient Oyo Kingdom.
The monarch’s relocation to the revered palace symbolised a powerful homecoming to the heart of Yoruba civilisation—an institution widely regarded as one of West Africa’s most enduring traditional legacies.
Prior to Oba Owoade’s ascension, the palace complex stood in a state of neglect, its structures vandalised and facilities in desperate need of renewal. Determined to revive the kingdom’s cultural heartbeat, the Alaafin embarked on an ambitious restoration drive shortly after mounting the throne.
Supervised by his Personal Assistant, Reverend Dr. Kolade Oladele, the sweeping rehabilitation has breathed new life into the once-fading landmark, transforming it into a gleaming cultural monument that mirrors the splendour and sophistication of the historic Oyo Empire.