The immediate past Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, is among the dignitaries expected at the coronation of the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade.

The chairman of the  local organising committee (LOC) for the coronation, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, disclosed this during a press conference at Alaafin’s palace, on Thursday. 

Ogunmola noted that Oba Owoade asked the committee to prepare to host the former prime minister, having confirmed to him that he would attend.

The LOC chairman also revealed that ambassadors of Spain, Brazil, Columbia and Portugal have confirmed their attendance.Ogunmola also disclosed that top traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba of Benin, Sultan of Sokoto and Yoruba monarchs from outside the country will attend the ceremony.

Trudeau’s attendance may not be unconnected with the fact that Oba Owoade holds both Canadian and Nigerian citizenship. The coronation, which will hold on April 5, will commence with a week-long activities on March 31.

Coronation activities will kick off with a cultural parade in the town on Monday, March 31, and end with a Christian thanksgiving service on Sunday, April 6. There will be a public lecture/colloquium on Tuesday, April 1, which would be anchored by professors Anthony Asiwaju, Akin Alao and Siyan Oyeweso.

Thursday will see the command performance of Aremo Aderonmu, a stage play written by Gbemi Faleti, at Ajayi Crowther University. While the actual coronation is slated for Saturday, April 5, there will be historic tree planting on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Friday would be cultural heritage day, while several projects would be inaugurated in honour of the new monarch.

Ogunmola added that adequate security measures are being put in place to ensure safety of lives and property during the ceremonies.