The Oyo State Government has unveiled a week-long programme of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state, tagged Oyo State @ 50.
Chairman of the Oyo State @ 50 Anniversary Committee and former two-term member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, unveiled the activities at a press briefing held at the Governor’s Office Briefing Room, Ibadan, on Wednesday.
According to the former two-term member of the House of Representatives, the anniversary is to celebrate the state’s five decades of solid growth, development, cultural heritage and resilience.
He said the golden jubilee is a collective celebration for all the people and residents of Oyo State, noting that it is an opportunity to reflect on the shared values and cultural expression of the state and thanksgiving for how far the Pacesetter State has come.
Akinade-Fijabi noted that Oyo State @ 50 anniversary celebration will begin with an opening ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, 26 January, 2026.
Governor ‘Seyi Makinde is expected to declare the events open at the International Conference Centre (ICC), University of Ibadan
The chairman of the Oyo State @ 50 Anniversary Committee added that two major events namely, Health Outreach and Film Show will take place on Tuesday, 27 January.
The Health Outreach, he said, will target residents who are 50 years-old and above as well as other people who may need medical attention across all the 33 local government areas of the state.
He said the Film Show will take place in Ibadan, Ibarapa, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun I and Oke Ogun II to relive the memories of the pride of place of Oyo State in theatre and entertainment.
There will be an anniversary carnival walk on Wednesday, with artisans, students, traders and other residents of the state moving from the historic Mapo Hall to Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
One of the major highlights of the Oyo State @ 50 anniversary celebration is a symposium scheduled for Thursday, at the ICC, UI.
The theme of the symposium is “Consolidating the Legacy: Navigating the Present and Reimagining the Future.”
The lead speaker is Professor Olu Ajakaiye, while other guest speakers include Professors Olanrewaju Olaniyan, Dikirulahi Yagboyaju and Dr Durodola Kamoru Ogunsesan.
A Jumat Service will be held on Friday at the Ibadan Central Mosque, while there will be Isese Service for traditional worshippers, on Saturday.
Akinade-Fijabi added that a novelty football match will take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Saturday, 31st January, between a team led by Governor Makinde and a team led by football icon of the Oyo State extraction, Mutiu Adepoju.
A thanksgiving Service will hold on Sunday 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, 2nd of February, Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Her Excellency, Engr (Mrs), Tamunominini Makinde, will visit some selected primary and secondary schools in the state to present gifts to school children.
The governor’s wife will, in the evening of the same day, celebrate and empower women in commemoration of the state’s 50th anniversary.
On Tuesday, 3rd February, which marks exactly 50 years Oyo State was created the state government will host a Gala/Award Night to honour the 17 former governors/military administrators, who have served the state.
Indigenes and non-indigenes, who have contributed immensely to the growth, development and success of the state will also be honoured at the Gala/Award Night, taking 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.
In attendance at the press conference were 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 Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Broadcast, Mrs Bosede Sodiq.
