Follow Us on Google
From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
The Oyo State Government has unveiled a programme of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state.
Chairman of the Oyo State at 50 Anniversary Committee and former two-term member of the House of Representatives, Hon Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, announced the lineup at a press briefing held at the Governor’s Office Briefing Room, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
He noted that the anniversary is to celebrate the state’s five decades of solid growth, development, cultural heritage and resilience.
According to the chairman, the golden jubilee is a collective celebration for all the people and residents of Oyo State. He said it provides an opportunity to reflect on the shared values and cultural expression of the state and an avenue for thanksgiving for how far the Pacesetter State has come.
Akinade-Fijabi said the Oyo State @ 50 anniversary celebration will begin with an opening ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, 26 January 2026, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, where Governor Seyi Makinde is expected to declare the events open.
He added that the celebration will continue on Tuesday, January 27, with two major events, namely a health outreach and a film show.
The health outreach, he said, will target residents who are 50 years old and above, as well as others who may need medical attention, and will take place across all 33 local government areas of the state. The film show will hold in Ibadan, Ibarapa, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun I and Oke Ogun II to relive memories of Oyo’s pride of place in theatre and entertainment.
On Wednesday, 28 January 2026, an anniversary carnival walk will be held, with artisans, students, traders and other residents moving from the historic Mapo Hall to the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
One of the major highlights of the Oyo State @ 50 anniversary celebration is the symposium scheduled for Thursday, 29 January, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, with the theme: “Consolidating the Legacy: Navigating the Present and Reimagining the Future.”
Other News
The lead speaker is Prof Olu Ajakaiye, while other guest speakers are Prof Olanrewaju Olaniyan, Prof Dikirulahi Yagboyaju and Dr Durodola Kamoru Ogunsesan.
This will be followed by a Jumat service on Friday, 30 January 2026, at the Ibadan Central Mosque, while on Saturday there will be Isese service for traditional worshippers.
Akinade-Fijabi added that on Saturday, 31 January 2026, a novelty football match will take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, between a team led by Governor Makinde and a team led by football icon of Oyo State extraction, Mutiu Adepoju.
On Sunday, 1 February 2026, a thanksgiving service will hold at St Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan, to be followed by an event tagged “An Afternoon with the Elderly and PLWD,” at the Omololu Olunloyo Park, Airport Road, Ibadan.
On Monday, 2 February 2026, the wife of the Oyo State Governor, Her Excellency, Engr (Mrs) Tamunominini Makinde, will visit selected primary and secondary schools in the state to present gifts to schoolchildren. In the evening, she will celebrate and empower women in commemoration of the state’s 50th anniversary.
On Tuesday, 3 February 2026, which marks exactly 50 years since Oyo State was created on Tuesday, 3 February 1976, the government will host a gala/award night to honour the 17 former governors/military administrators who have served the state, as well as indigenes and non-indigenes who have contributed immensely to the growth, development and success of the state.
The event will take place at the newly built Banquet Hall, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
Akinade-Fijabi called on all residents, indigenes and non-indigenes of Oyo State at home and in the Diaspora to join in the celebrations.
The press conference had in attendance the secretary of the committee, Mrs Aderonke Adedayo; Executive Assistant to the Governor on Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Gafar Bello; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju; and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Broadcast, Mrs Bosede Sodiq.
