The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, on Tuesday appointed lawyer Bilaal Akinola as the new Chief Imam of Oyo land
According to a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaye, the appointment follows the passing 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. The moment is not only significant for our people, but also sacred in the eyes of Allah, for leadership in Islam is a truth that demands humility, sincerity, and justice.”
Born on April 15, 1965, to Shaykh Bilaal Ogunbado of Imam Ogunbado compound, Akeugberu Oyo, in Oyo West Local Government Area, the new Chief Imam studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
During the ceremony, Oba Owoade also spoke on the importance of child protection for national development. Addressing pupils from the Federal College of Education (Special) Basic School in Durbar, Oyo, he said, “Children represent the future and ensuring their healthy growth and development ought to be a prime concern of all. Nations that experience prosperity are those where family stability is carefully maintained.”
The Alaafin stressed that development planning without enforceable laws, policies, and social services would be ineffective. He referenced Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act 2003 as frameworks for protecting children but lamented that abuses continue due to lack of social consensus and political will.
“This is not because we lack laws and policies on child protection, but due to insufficient social consensus and political will to implement them effectively. It is heartbreaking to read about inhuman and degrading treatment of Nigerian children at home and in institutions,” he said.
Oba Owoade highlighted issues such as corporal punishment in schools, neglect, deprivation of basic needs, sexual abuse, and child marriage, often perpetrated by fathers, uncles, guardians, male teachers, and clerics, warning that such abuses leave lasting psychological scars.
On national development, the Alaafin noted, “Citizens can only overcome the limitations of their historical and cultural environments by revolutionising their historiography.” He urged Nigerians to support the current administration’s efforts to transform the country, linking strong families to societal stability.
“The rising rate of family breakdown has become a ticking time bomb, contributing to increased criminal activities among children from broken homes. Recognising the role of marriage in building a strong society is essential to giving children the best chance in life. Early experiences significantly shape the person you become and the life you lead,” he added.
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