Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, receives a traditional welcome from members of the Yoruba community at Melbourne Airport in Australia. Credit: X | adedayo_viktor, jose66542
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, has received a colourful traditional welcome from Nigerians in Melbourne, Australia, with members of the Yoruba community turning out in cultural attire to receive the monarch.
A video circulating on social media on Thursday, showed the 46th Alaafin arriving at Melbourne Airport, where a crowd of well-wishers, many dressed in aso-oke, gathered to honour him.
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, receives a traditional welcome from members of the Yoruba community at Melbourne Airport in Australia. Credit: X | adedayo_viktor, jose66542
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, receives a traditional welcome from members of the Yoruba community at Melbourne Airport in Australia. Credit: X | adedayo_viktor, jose66542
Some members of the crowd were seen kneeling as the monarch, dressed in a purple embroidered agbada, coral beads and carrying a traditional staff, walked through the airport’s arrivals hall.
Several people presented bouquets of flowers, while others recorded his arrival with their mobile phones. A woman dressed in matching purple attire was also seen accompanying the monarch.
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, receives a traditional welcome from members of the Yoruba community at Melbourne Airport in Australia. Credit: X | adedayo_viktor, jose66542
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, receives a traditional welcome from members of the Yoruba community at Melbourne Airport in Australia. Credit: X | adedayo_viktor, jose66542
The reception continued outside the terminal, where a black vehicle was waiting to convey the traditional ruler. A man dressed in striped aso-oke was seen assisting him as he entered the vehicle.
The reception reflected Yoruba traditional customs, under which people kneel to pay respect to the Alaafin, one of the prominent traditional rulers in Yorubaland.
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, receives a traditional welcome from members of the Yoruba community at Melbourne Airport in Australia. Credit: X | adedayo_viktor, jose66542
Oba Owoade is the 46th occupant of the Alaafin stool. He received his certificate of appointment and Staff of Office from Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, following his selection as the successor to the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.
His arrival in Australia has brought the cultural institution of the Oyo Kingdom before members of the Yoruba diaspora in the country.
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However, details of the purpose of the monarch’s visit, his hosts and the duration of his stay were not immediately available as of the time of filing this report. No official statement from the palace had been issued on the visit.
Watch the video below:
𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚
Credit: X | adedayo_viktor
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Hannah Johnson is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over three years of professional experience in reporting, storytelling, and digital content creation. She blends traditional reporting skills with a modern, digital-first approach to journalism, producing content tailored for both web and social platforms. Hannah is skilled at turning complex topics into clear, engaging, and relatable stories that resonate with a wide audience. Her work reflects hands-on newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a strong commitment to accurate, audience-focused journalism.
Source: Punch · Hannah Johnson
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