The newly crowned Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has unveiled a robust vision for the future of the ancient kingdom, placing youth empowerment, infrastructure development, and the preservation of Yoruba culture at the forefront of his reign. The monarch, who was officially installed on Saturday in Oyo town, steps into the role following the death of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
In a recent interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Oba Owoade expressed his deep commitment to the welfare of his people, emphasizing the urgency of addressing youth unemployment. “Of immediate concern is the need to get our teeming youths gainfully employed and take them off the street. They are our today and our future. They need skills and jobs,” he said.
To tackle this challenge, the Alaafin revealed plans to establish vocational and digital training programs, targeting both unemployed youths and the less privileged. He noted that training in areas like cybersecurity and other remote tech skills would empower many to work and earn without needing to travel abroad. “These people would be trained well and would not need to travel abroad but would be able to work from the corner of their rooms and make a living,” he added.
In addition to youth initiatives, Oba Owoade pledged to work closely with the government to revamp public infrastructure, including schools and road networks across the kingdom. “I will work closely with the government on the need to improve the condition of public facilities, amenities and infrastructure such as roads and schools,” he said.
Having spent over two decades in the United Kingdom and Canada, Oba Owoade also brings a global perspective to traditional leadership. He emphasized the need for unity among Yoruba monarchs and a renewed focus on preserving the region’s cultural heritage. “I will be strengthening this aspect of our civilisation… and I hope to be taking our culture and tradition to the next level in terms of maintenance and promotion,” he stated.
Language preservation is another pillar of the monarch’s agenda. Oba Owoade vowed to prioritize the Yoruba language during his reign. “As the custodian of Yoruba culture, our language would be one of our major priorities and we will work hard to promote it along with other aspects of our culture and tradition,” he affirmed.
In a humanitarian gesture, the monarch disclosed that he had already imported medical equipment and plans to establish a community health centre. The facility, he said, would provide free healthcare services to widows, widowers, and the less privileged in the community.
The Alaafin also shared his intention to renovate the over 200-year-old palace, with a promise to modernize it while preserving its historical and cultural identity. “The palace is a national heritage, and I intend to maintain its cultural essence while making it more functional for the 21st century,” he said.
Oba Owoade’s early pronouncements suggest a reign driven by both traditional values and progressive action, aimed at uniting the Oyo people and positioning the ancient kingdom for long-term prosperity and cultural relevance.
