Oyo kicks off golden jubilee celebration

Oyo State has begun week-long activities to mark the 50th anniversary of its creation, with an opening ceremony held on Monday at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

Governor Seyi Makinde is set to deliver a public lecture at the event, which launches celebrations under the theme: “Consolidating the Legacy, Navigating the Present, and Reimagining the Future.”

The festivities, which run from January 26 to February 3, will conclude with a gala night and dinner at the Government House Banquet Hall, Agodi, where all 17 former governors of the state will be honoured. Families of deceased former governors will receive the honours on their behalf.

The Chairman of the Oyo @50 Anniversary Committee, former House of Representatives member Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, said the programme is designed to blend thanksgiving, reflection, intellectual engagement, and cultural celebration.

Planned activities include health outreaches across the state’s 33 local government areas, film screenings in six geopolitical zones, a carnival, symposiums, religious services, sports competitions, and women empowerment programmes.

Oyo State was created on February 3, 1976, by the military government of the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed, with Brig. David Jemibewon serving as its first military governor.

The golden jubilee celebrations will also recognise notable indigenes who have contributed to the state’s development.