Prepared Speech by His Imperial Majesty, Alaafin Abimbola Akeem Owoade I
To the Oyo Forum, Abuja – Friday, 16th May 2025
Esteemed sons and daughters of Oyo, distinguished members of the Oyo Forum, honored guests,
With a heart brimming with gratitude and royal duty, I stand before you today—not merely as a traditional ruler, but as a humble servant of destiny. I bring warm greetings from the ancient throne of Oranmiyan, the sacred seat of honor and history, where our ancestors once forged the path to greatness for an entire civilization.
We gather at a pivotal moment in the life of our people and our nation—a time of disruption, yet brimming with boundless opportunity. The world is transforming at an unprecedented pace. In this defining hour, it is not enough to rest on the laurels of past glories. We must rise, with courage and conviction, to reimagine our collective future, guided by vision, anchored in unity, and driven by purposeful action.
We live in the era of the knowledge economy, where the power of ideas, innovation, and information surpasses even the might of oil and minerals. Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, digital transformation, and green innovation are reshaping the global order. In this new reality, relevance and influence are no longer determined by sheer size or natural resources, but by human capital, strategic foresight, and visionary leadership.
The question we must confront—and answer together—is this: Where do the Yoruba stand in this rapidly evolving world? Will we remain mere spectators in the theater of transformation? Or will we claim our rightful place—not through entitlement, but through deliberate investment, cultural synergy, and coordinated action?
Yorubaland is blessed with an abundance of talent, heritage, intellect, and cultural wealth. From the hallowed halls of academia to the corridors of business and governance, Yoruba sons and daughters continue to excel, shining brightly across the globe.
Yet, within the Nigerian federation, we must candidly acknowledge that our collective influence has not always matched our potential. Fragmentation, internal rivalries, and a lack of synergy have too often hindered our progress. The era when each kingdom pursued its own narrow path, when sons and daughters of the same heritage competed for scraps rather than building together, must come to an end.
This is why I have made it a cornerstone of my reign to rally our people—not only around the throne of Oyo, but around a bold vision for Yoruba renewal. Oyo must rise again, not in isolation, but as a unifying force and spiritual compass for Yorubaland. In this pursuit, we must forge new alliances across towns and generations, professions and ideologies, to lay the foundations for a just, equitable, and prosperous Yoruba future.
Omo Oodua, history is watching us. Posterity will judge this generation of Yoruba leaders by our actions in this time of national and global transition. Did we succumb to personal ambition, or did we plant seeds of progress whose fruits will nourish generations yet unborn?
We have a sacred duty to build systems that ensure inclusive growth—growth that uplifts not just the elite few, but our towns, our youth, and our most vulnerable. Unity is not a romantic ideal; it is a strategic imperative. Only through cooperation can we attract transformative investments, shape national development frameworks, and safeguard the interests of our people, wherever they may be.
It is time for bold, coordinated action among our traditional institutions, intellectuals, technocrats, and political leaders. Let us speak with one voice on critical national issues—education, regional development, state policing, youth empowerment, security, and infrastructure. Let us invest in our local economies, champion indigenous innovation, and establish centers of excellence that position Oyo as a beacon for others to emulate.
In the 21st century, our youth are the torchbearers of our legacy. They are digital natives, brimming with creativity and ambition. Yet too many are lost to despair, underemployment, or forced migration. We must not fail them.
As custodians of tradition and architects of the future, we must proactively invest in their potential. It is time to scale up digital literacy, entrepreneurship training, and vocational programs that equip them for the demands of a global economy. Let us not merely prepare them to survive; let us empower them to thrive. Every Yoruba child—whether born in Oyo, Abuja, London, or Akure—deserves a fair chance at dignity, excellence, and relevance in this new world.
Nigeria remains our home, and within her federation, the Yoruba people must continue to play a stabilizing and visionary role. But let us be clear: no region can flourish without equity. We must therefore advocate boldly for structural reforms that ensure every part of Nigeria has an equal opportunity to thrive. I am heartened by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s commitment to this ideal.
True federalism must move beyond rhetoric to become a lived reality. Resource control, fiscal autonomy, and political accountability must be pursued—not through confrontation, but through responsible negotiation, grounded in unity, strategy, and clarity of purpose.
Today, I issue a royal call—not of command, but of shared responsibility. Let the Oyo Forum rise, not as a ceremonial gathering, but as a dynamic brain trust for action, innovation, and advocacy. Let each of you return to your spheres of influence with renewed zeal to forge partnerships, support local initiatives, and open doors for others.
Let our engineers design future-ready cities. Let our scholars craft curricula for a digital age. Let our entrepreneurs build enterprises that solve pressing challenges. Let our cultural ambassadors preserve the dignity of our heritage while boldly engaging the world.
Let us walk in unity, act with discernment, and reject the pull of petty divisions, embracing instead the power of our shared destiny. Our ancestors weathered storms to bequeath us this legacy; we must now expand it.
The road ahead will not be easy. There will be trials and distractions. But we must remain resolute, rejecting small-mindedness and moving forward—not as lone runners, but as a relay team, passing the baton of strength from one generation to the next.
I envision a future where Oyo is not only a cradle of history, but a citadel of innovation. I see a Yorubaland that sets the pace in education, commerce, and governance.class=”content” I see a people who, through unity and vision, reclaim their place as standard-bearers of progress across the continent.
Let us rise and build.
I thank you all.
Alaafin Abimbola Akeem Owoade I
The Alaafin of Oyo
