In an unusual royal appearance that blended Yoruba tradition with Christian reverence, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, stunned many by attending a full Catholic Mass in Oyo town — not just to give thanks, but to make a special request from the altar.
Held at the Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Cathedral, the monarch’s visit formed part of a double thanksgiving celebration that drew clergy, royal aides, worshippers, and community leaders into a historic convergence of faith and royalty.
The monarch, who ascended the throne in 2025 following the passing of the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, was not alone. Seated beside him was his wife, Olori Abiwumi Owoade, as the service held on Sunday, July 20, marked two personal milestones: his 50th birthday and the couple’s 19th wedding anniversary.
The Mass was celebrated by His Grace, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, who stood in for Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo. The service was also concelebrated by other senior priests including Msgr. Anthony Olawumi, Rev. Fr. Boniface Wuraola (Vicar General), and Rev. Fr. Julius Olayinka, the Cathedral Administrator.
While the congregation joined in hymns and scripture readings, all eyes were fixed on the royal seat. The Alaafin, dressed in regal agbada and cap, maintained a solemn presence throughout — until he addressed the church. Then, in a speech that resonated far beyond the pews, he urged the Catholic Church and all Nigerians to pray for his reign.
Oba Owoade appealed for spiritual support for peace, unity, and progress within Oyo Kingdom and the nation at large. His message underscored the depth of challenges traditional rulers face in modern governance and the role faith can play in navigating them.
The appearance also served as a powerful gesture of religious tolerance, as the Alaafin, a custodian of Yoruba traditional heritage, chose a Catholic setting to mark his royal and personal journey.
The thanksgiving Mass ended with blessings upon the monarch and his queen, as photos and videos of the occasion spread rapidly across social media platforms, drawing admiration for his humility and statesmanship.
The Alaafin’s prayerful message comes at a time of national uncertainty, and his symbolic presence inside a church — on such a sacred and personal day — is being interpreted as a call for moral unity in a divided time.
SEE GLIMPSE OF THE EVENT IN CLIP BELOW
