Former Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau is among the dignitaries who have confirmed their attendance at the coronation of the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade I.
The Chairman of the coronation’s Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, confirmed this at a news briefing yesterday at Alaafin’s palace.
He said Oba Owoade confirmed to the committee to prepare to host the former prime minister, having confirmed from him that he would attend.
The LOC chairman says ambassadors of Spain, Brazil, Columbia and Portugal have also confirmed their attendance.
The coronation has been scheduled for April 5 amid week-long activities that will begin on March 31.
Trudeau’s attendance may be connected to the fact that Oba Owoade holds dual citizenship of Canada and Nigeria.
Coronation activities will kick off with a cultural parade in the town on March 31 and end with a Christian Thanksgiving service on April 6.
There will be a Public Lecture/Colloquium on Tuesday, which will be anchored by Professors Anthony Asiwaju, Akin Alao and Siyan Oyeweso.
Thursday will witness command performance of Aremo Aderonmu (A stage play written by Gbemi Faleti), at Ajayi Crowther University.
The actual coronation is slated for Saturday. There will be historic tree planting on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday will be cultural heritage day, while several projects will be inaugurated in honour of the new monarch.
Ogunmola said top traditional rulers like the Ooni of Ife, Oba of Benin, Sultan of Sokoto and Yoruba monarchs from outside the country are to attend the ceremony.
He said security measures were being planned to ensure safety of lives and property during the ceremony.
