Ambassador Oladele Simeon Adewale Visits Alaafin’s Palace, Pays Royal Homage to Oba Abimbola Owoade 1
The ancient town of Oyo came alive on Thursday as Ambassador Oladele Simeon Adewale, a respected diplomat and UN Peace Ambassador, paid a royal visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Owoade I, at the palace in Oyo.
The visit, filled with colour, music, and deep cultural symbolism, was a homecoming for Ambassador Adewale — a proud son of Yoruba land and a man who has carried Nigeria’s image with honour on the international stage.
Arriving at the palace in the early hours of the day, the Ambassador was received with traditional drumming and chants of praise from palace aides and cultural troupes. He was led into the main courtyard where he paid homage to the Alaafin in accordance with Yoruba royal customs.
Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Adewale, who serves as the Finance Attaché at the Nigeria High Commission in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, expressed gratitude to the monarch for his fatherly blessings and wise leadership.
“To stand before the Alaafin is to stand before history itself,” he said. “Our culture, our pride, and our identity as Yoruba people must continue to be celebrated and preserved wherever we go.”
Ambassador Adewale, who holds multiple international professional fellowships including FCSA (USA), FCFIP, FCTI, FIPA (AUS), FFA (UK) and FCNA, emphasized the importance of using diplomacy to promote Nigeria’s cultural heritage across the world.
In his royal remarks, Oba Abimbola Owoade I welcomed the diplomat warmly and praised his distinguished record of service to the nation. The Alaafin described Adewale’s visit as “a symbol of continuity between tradition and modern leadership.”
“Our sons and daughters abroad remain part of the royal household,” the Alaafin said. “Wherever they serve, they carry the blessings of the ancestors. We are proud of Ambassador Adewale and pray for greater success in his mission to represent Nigeria globally.”
The event also featured the presentation of royal gifts, exchange of goodwill messages, and discussions on strengthening cultural and economic ties between Nigeria and the Caribbean region.
Residents of Oyo described the visit as a proud moment, noting that it showcased the enduring strength of Yoruba culture and the bridge between traditional authority and global diplomacy.