Oro town in Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, was filled with jubilation on Christmas Eve as His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade I, crowned the new Oloro of Oro, His Royal Majesty Oba Joel Olaniyi Olatoye Titiloye Olufayo II.

The coronation coincided with the first anniversary of Oba Olufayo’s ascension, which took place on October 27, 2024. The event, part of the Oro Day celebrations, drew crowds of residents and visitors, creating an atmosphere of festivity and cultural pride.

At 40 years old at the time of his installation, Oba Olufayo is a renowned cultural ambassador and business consultant. His crowning marked the return of his lineage to the throne after more than two centuries.

He now leads the Oro Kingdom, a prominent Yoruba settlement in Kwara State that comprises 11 towns and is known for its commerce, community development, and deep cultural heritage.

This was made known via a statement Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye.

Oro town holds significant historical and spiritual importance, closely tied to the Oro Cult, a traditional institution that has long influenced governance and justice through ancestral worship. Its centuries-old customs, including male-only rituals, continue to define the town’s unique cultural identity.

In his address during the ceremony, the Alaafin of Oyo traced the origins of Oro town to his forefathers and praised the new monarch as a “redoubtable monarch with passion.” Oba Owoade lauded Oba Olufayo for fostering peace, unity, and socio-economic development in the kingdom.

The statement reads: ” Christmas Eve would remain indelible in the minds of Oro people , in the Irepodun local government area of Kwara State , as it was enveloped in intense excitement when His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo ,Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade 1, the Alaafin of Oyo crowned the Oloro of Oro town, His Royal Majesty. Oba Joel Olaniyi Olatoye Titiloye Olufayo 11.

READ ALSO: Embrace True Spirit of Christmas for National Transformation – Alaafin

“The occasion was during the Oro day and first year coronation anniversary of Oloro held at Oro town .

“The town went agog with funfair for attending the first coronation of the monarch .

“Oba Olufayo was installed and received his staff of office on October 27, 2024.

Read Also

“The monarch, who was 40 years old at the time of his ascension, is a renowned Cultural Ambassador and business Consultant.

“The current Oloro of Oro Kingdom marked the return of his lineage to the throne after over two centuries. He leads the prominent Oro Kingdom in Kwara State, Nigeria, which encompasses 11 towns and is known for its commerce and community development.

“Oro town is also a significant Yoruba settlement deeply tied to the powerful Oro Cult, a spiritual and political entity controlling governance and justice through ancestral worship, with its traditions persisting for centuries and defining its unique cultural identity, especially the male-only rituals that reinforced community order.

“The current Oloro of Oro Kingdom is His Royal Majesty Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye Olufayo II, who was crowned in late December 2024, marking the return of his lineage to the throne after over two centuries. He leads the prominent Oro Kingdom in Kwara State, Nigeria, which encompasses 11 towns and is known for its commerce and community development.

“In his address before the crowning, Alaafin disclosed that Oro town was created by his forefathers some centuries ago, saying that he was delighted to be in the town and to crown the monarch .

” ‘He is a redoubtable monarch with passion’.

“Oba Owoade lauded the monarch for being a good father to all his subjects, irrespective of their cleavages, and said his reign has attracted socio economic and physical development to the ancient town.

“ ‘The peace, harmony and economic growths that are the hallmarks of Oro Kingdom are to the credit of His Royal Highness who actively works for peace, unity and development of the people. It is not surprising therefore that Oro, with Oyo as its ancestral home, remains a force to reckon with not just in the whole of Kwara South but in the entire State. Your Majesty, your reign has been a beacon of light, hope, and wisdom’.

“Oba Owoade who stressed the need for continued bilateral relationship between Oyo and Oro town, prayed the Almighty God to grant the Oloro good health and many more years of peaceful reign on the throne.

“Speaking shortly after the crowning, the Oloro, who also traced the root of Oro people to Oyo, said his crowning was historic and significant.”