The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has officially appointed Barrister Bilaal Akinola as the new Chief Imam of Oyo, marking a new chapter in the spiritual leadership of the ancient town.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, through a statement signed by the monarch’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaye. The appointment follows the passing of the former Chief Imam, Mashood Ajokidero III, who died in early 2023.
During the presentation ceremony, Oba Owoade congratulated the new Chief Imam, describing the appointment as both a divine trust and a responsibility to uphold justice and humility in serving the Muslim community.
“Having gone through the necessary screening process, I am pleased to announce that you have been chosen as the new Chief Imam of Oyo. This moment is both significant to our people and sacred in the sight of Allah. Leadership in Islam is a trust that requires sincerity, fairness, and dedication,” the Alaafin stated.
Born on April 15, 1965, into the family of Shaykh Bilaal Ogunbado of the Imam Ogunbado Compound, Akeugberu, Oyo, Barrister Akinola studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State. His appointment is seen as a blend of spiritual and intellectual guidance for the Oyo Muslim community.
Alaafin Highlights the Importance of Child Protection
In a related event, Oba Owoade also addressed the issue of child protection and family stability while speaking to pupils of the Federal College of Education (Special) Basic School, Durbar, Oyo.
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He emphasized that children are the cornerstone of a nation’s future, stressing the need to ensure their well-being, protection, and moral upbringing.
“Children represent the future of every nation. Ensuring their healthy growth and development must be the top priority of all. Countries that enjoy prosperity are those where family stability is strongly preserved,” the monarch noted.
The Alaafin warned that national development would remain elusive without effective laws and social systems that protect children’s rights.
Referencing Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act of 2003, he lamented the continued rise in child abuse cases despite existing legal frameworks.
“The challenge is not the absence of laws but the lack of collective will and commitment to implement them. It is distressing to read about the inhuman treatment of Nigerian children, both at home and in institutions,” he said.
Oba Owoade further condemned acts of child neglect, corporal punishment, sexual abuse, and early marriage, which he said often inflict lasting psychological harm on victims.
Family Stability and National Progress
The monarch also linked family stability to national progress, urging Nigerians to support the current administration’s reform efforts.
“The rising rate of broken marriages and its negative impact on children pose a serious social threat. Many children from broken homes end up engaging in criminal acts, creating a cycle of instability,” he warned.
He emphasized that strong marriages build strong societies, urging parents to create nurturing environments that shape responsible citizens.
“The lessons children learn in their early years determine the kind of adults they become. A stable family remains the foundation of any progressive nation,” he concluded.
