The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has appointed lawyer Bilaal Akinola as the new Chief Imam of Oyo land.
According to his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaye, the appointment follows the death of the late Chief Imam, Mashood Ajokidero III, in early 2023.
Addressing the new Chief Imam, the Alaafin said, “Having passed through the duly screening test, I have the pleasure to inform you that you have been selected by me as the new Chief Imam of Oyo. This is a significant moment for our people and sacred in the eyes of Allah, as leadership in Islam demands humility, sincerity, and justice.”
Born on April 15, 1965, to Shaykh Bilaal Ogunbado of Imam Ogunbado compound in Akeugberu Oyo, Oyo West Local Government Area, Akinola studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
During the ceremony, Oba Owoade also stressed the importance of protecting children as part of national development. Speaking to pupils from the Federal College of Education (Special) Basic School in Durbar, Oyo, he said, “Children represent the future. Ensuring their healthy growth and development must be a priority. Nations that prosper are those where family stability is maintained.”
He emphasised that development without enforceable laws, policies, and social services is ineffective, citing Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act 2003. He lamented that abuse persists due to lack of social consensus and political will.
Oba Owoade highlighted issues including corporal punishment, neglect, deprivation of basic needs, sexual abuse, and child marriage, often inflicted by family members, teachers, or clerics, warning that such acts leave lasting psychological scars.
On broader national development, the Alaafin said, “Citizens can only break free from the limitations of their historical and cultural contexts by transforming their understanding of history.” He urged Nigerians to support the government’s efforts to strengthen the country, linking strong families to societal stability.
“The rise in family breakdowns has created a ticking time bomb, contributing to criminal activity among children from broken homes. Marriage plays a critical role in building a strong society, and early childhood experiences greatly influence the life a person leads,” he concluded.