By Our Reporter
Oyo State Government has unveiled a programme of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state, scheduled to commence on Monday, January 26, 2026 with an opening ceremony at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, with Governor Seyi Makinde declaring the events open.
The Anniversary celebration will be rounded off on Tuesday, 3rd February, 2026, which marks exactly 50 years since Oyo State was created on Tuesday, February 3, 1976, with a Gala/Award Night to honour the 17 former Governors/Military Administrators, who had served the state as well as indigenes and non-indigenes, who had contributed immensely to the growth, development and success of the state.
Chairman of the Oyo State @ 50 Anniversary Committee and former two-term Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, unveiled the activities at a press briefing held on Tuesday at the Governor’s Office Briefing Room, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Akinade-Fijabi noted that the anniversary is to celebrate the state’s five decades of solid growth, development, cultural heritage and resilience, stating that the golden jubilee is a collective celebration for all the people and residents of Oyo State.
Besides, he further noted that the occasion provides an opportunity to reflect on the shared values and cultural expression of the state, saying that it is an avenue for thanksgiving for how far the Pacesetter State has come.
The Anniversary Committee Chairman, while noting that the celebration will begin with an opening ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, 26th January, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, to be declared open by Governor Makinde, added that the celebration would continue on Tuesday, 27th January, 2026 with two major events, namely; Health Outreach and Film Show.
According to Akinade-Fijabi said the Health Outreach, will target residents who are 50 years-old and above as well as other people who may need medical attention, saying that the outreach will take place across all the 33 local government areas of the state, while the Film Show will take place in Ibadan, Ibarapa, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun I and Oke Ogun II to relive the memories of Oyo’s pride of place in theatre and entertainment.
He said that an anniversary carnival walk will be held on Wednesday, 28th January, 2026, witnessing artisans, students, traders and other residents of the state moving from the historic Mapo Hall to Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
The committee chairman said identified a symposium as one of the major highlights of the Oyo State @ 50 anniversary celebration, saying that the programme had been scheduled to hold on Thursday, 29th January, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, with the theme: "Consolidating the Legacy: Navigating the Present and Reimagining the Future."
"The lead speaker is Prof. Olu Ajakaiye. 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, 30th January, 2026, at the Ibadan Central Mosque, while on Saturday, there will be Isese service for traditional worshippers," he said.
Akinade-Fijabi added that on Saturday, 31st 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’s extraction, Mutiu Adepoju.
Speaking further, he said a Thanksgiving Service will hold at on Sunday, 1st February, 2026, at St Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan, to be followed by an event tagged "An Afternoon with the Elderly and PLWD," to be held at the Omololu Olunloyo Park, Airport Road, Ibadan.
"On Monday, 2nd of February, 2026, the 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, while in the evening, she will celebrate and empower women in commemoration of the state’s 50th anniversary.
"On Tuesday, 3rd February, 2026, which marks exactly 50 years since Oyo State was created on Tuesday, February 3, 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," he said.
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.
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