The Oyo State Government has announced a week-long programme to mark the 50th anniversary of the state’s creation.
The celebrations will feature a mix of religious services, cultural exhibitions, award and dinner nights, and a public lecture themed, “Consolidating the Legacy, Navigating the Present, and Reimagining the Future.”
The announcement was made by the Chairman of the 50th Anniversary Committee and former member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, at a press briefing held at the Secretariat, Ibadan.
Hon. Akinade-Fijabi explained that the golden jubilee programme is designed to combine reflection, thanksgiving, intellectual engagement, and cultural celebration, in line with Governor Seyi Makinde’s future-driven vision for the state.
The festivities, he said, will commence on January 26 with a speech by Governor Makinde at the University of Ibadan and conclude on February 3 with a dinner night honouring distinguished citizens and contributors to Oyo State’s development.
Other scheduled activities include health outreaches across all 33 local government areas, film shows in the six geopolitical zones, a carnival, symposiums, lectures, religious services, sports events, and women’s empowerment programmes.
Oyo State was created on February 3, 1976, from the former Western Region of Nigeria, with Ibadan as its administrative capital.