Alaafin Owoade turbans new chief imam of Oyo

By Adejayan Gbenga –

The Alaafin and paramount ruler of Oyo Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has officially turbaned Barrister Alhaji Bilaal Oseni Akinola as the new chief imam of Oyo land.

The ceremony took place on Thursday at the Alaafin’s residence in the Boroboro area of Oyo.

According to a statement by Bode Durojaiye, director of media and publicity to the Alaafin, the appointment follows Akinola’s successful screening and selection process for the position.

Born on April 15, 1965, to Alhaji Shaykh Imam Bilaal Akano Ogunbado of Imam Ogunbado Compound, Akeugberu, Oyo, Akinola holds an LLB from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1992), and studied at the Arabic Institute of Nigeria, Elekuro, Ibadan, in 1987.

He previously undertook professional tutelage under Barrister Niyi Badmus & Co., Ibadan (1995–2000), and served as a prepayment officer and legal correspondence handler in the Federal Public Service, including at the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and its successor, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

In his inaugural address, the new chief imam emphasized his commitment to strict adherence to the Qur’an and Hadith, stressing that Islam is complete and that his role is to guide the faithful within its established teachings.

He also called for unity within the Muslim ummah, urging an end to bigotry and ethnic biases, while reminding government officials that public office is a trust from Allah to serve the people.

Oba Owoade, in his remarks, encouraged all Muslims in Oyo land to support the new leadership of the mosque, highlighting the importance of collective backing for the chief imam’s mission.