The Oyo State Government has announced plans to unveil a Hall of Fame and honour iconic figures who have contributed to the growth and development of the state, as the Oyo@50 Committee unveiled a comprehensive week-long programme to commemorate the state’s golden jubilee.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Ibadan on Wednesday during a press conference held at the Governor’s Office Conference Room.

He noted that the Hall of Fame would serve as a permanent legacy project to preserve the history and celebrate individuals who have shaped the state across various sectors.

In his words: “We are not just celebrating 50 years for the sake of it. We are deliberately creating something that will outlive this celebration.

“The Hall of Fame is meant to tell our story, to honour those who have contributed to Oyo State across generations and to inspire the next generation.”

According to him, Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the allocation of a building within the State Secretariat, to house the Hall of Fame, where citizens and visitors will be able to learn about distinguished personalities in fields such as governance, sports, health, arts, culture and entertainment industry.

“His Excellency has agreed to give us a building, within the Secretariat, that will permanently serve as our Hall of Fame. People should be able to walk in there tomorrow and know who did what for Oyo State,” Akinade-Fijabi said.

Akinade-Fijabi said the 50th anniversary celebration would run for a week, beginning on January 26 with an opening ceremony at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

He said the event would feature notable guest speakers, an address by Governor Makinde, cultural showcases by indigenes of the state and performances by secondary school students.

He explained that school competitions, including male and female secondary school football tournaments, have been organised ahead of the celebrations, with their finals scheduled to hold during the anniversary week.

The committee chairman said January 27 would be dedicated to the people, with a statewide health outreach across all local government areas. The day will also feature open-air film screenings of classic movies by veteran filmmaker Ade Love, to be held in open spaces around cultural centres across the six geopolitical zones of the state.

On January 28, he said a major carnival procession would take place, with students, youths and women from all local governments marching from Mapo to Adamasingba, where a concert and other entertainment activities will follow.

January 29, according to Akinade-Fijabi, will feature a symposium and public lecture at the ICC, with experts discussing the theme, “Consolidating the Legacy: Navigating the Present and Reimagining the Future,” focusing on Oyo State’s past, present and future.

He said religious activities would hold on January 30, including a Jumat service, alongside a golf competition where Governor Makinde is expected to tee off in the morning.

The committee chairman said January 31 has been set aside as Youth Day, with young people from across the state converging on Adamasingba for activities including a novelty football match, the finals of school competitions, and the recognition of young innovators and change makers with awards.

According to him, activities on February 1 will include a church service in the morning and a special programme in the evening for elderly women and physically challenged persons, as part of efforts to give back to vulnerable groups.

On February 2, the First Lady of Oyo State will visit selected primary and secondary schools to interact with pupils and students and present gifts and prizes, alongside another women-focused programme.

Akinade-Fijabi said the celebrations would formally climax on February 3 with a gala night dinner at the State House Banquet Hall, where distinguished indigenes and non-indigenes who have contributed to the development of Oyo State will be honoured.

He added that former governors of the state since 1976, or their families, are expected to receive service awards.
He also disclosed plans for an air show featuring aircraft flyovers during the celebration, describing it as a symbol of peace and unity in the state.

Fielding questions from journalists, Akinade-Fijabi said non-indigenes who have made significant contributions to the state would also be recognised, stressing that Oyo State’s progress over the last 50 years has been shaped by people from diverse backgrounds.

He emphasised that the celebration is non-partisan and open to all, adding that invitations have been extended to President Bola Tinubu and other political leaders across the country.

On legacy projects, he noted that the golden jubilee is designed as a year-long celebration, with several projects scheduled for commissioning throughout the year, beginning from February 3.

He called on residents and friends of Oyo State to participate actively in the celebrations, describing the anniversary as a moment to reflect, celebrate and recommit to the future of the state.

The Oyo State Government has announced plans to unveil a Hall of Fame and honour iconic figures who have contributed to the growth and development of the state, as the Oyo@50 Committee unveiled a comprehensive week-long programme to commemorate the state’s golden jubilee.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Ibadan on Wednesday during a press conference held at the Governor’s Office Conference Room.

He noted that the Hall of Fame would serve as a permanent legacy project to preserve the history and celebrate individuals who have shaped the state across various sectors.

In his words: “We are not just celebrating 50 years for the sake of it. We are deliberately creating something that will outlive this celebration.

“The Hall of Fame is meant to tell our story, to honour those who have contributed to Oyo State across generations and to inspire the next generation.”

According to him, Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the allocation of a building within the State Secretariat, to house the Hall of Fame, where citizens and visitors will be able to learn about distinguished personalities in fields such as governance, sports, health, arts, culture and entertainment industry.

“His Excellency has agreed to give us a building, within the Secretariat, that will permanently serve as our Hall of Fame. People should be able to walk in there tomorrow and know who did what for Oyo State,” Akinade-Fijabi said.

Akinade-Fijabi said the 50th anniversary celebration would run for a week, beginning on January 26 with an opening ceremony at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

He said the event would feature notable guest speakers, an address by Governor Makinde, cultural showcases by indigenes of the state and performances by secondary school students.

He explained that school competitions, including male and female secondary school football tournaments, have been organised ahead of the celebrations, with their finals scheduled to hold during the anniversary week.

The committee chairman said January 27 would be dedicated to the people, with a statewide health outreach across all local government areas. The day will also feature open-air film screenings of classic movies by veteran filmmaker Ade Love, to be held in open spaces around cultural centres across the six geopolitical zones of the state.

On January 28, he said a major carnival procession would take place, with students, youths and women from all local governments marching from Mapo to Adamasingba, where a concert and other entertainment activities will follow.

January 29, according to Akinade-Fijabi, will feature a symposium and public lecture at the ICC, with experts discussing the theme, “Consolidating the Legacy: Navigating the Present and Reimagining the Future,” focusing on Oyo State’s past, present and future.

He said religious activities would hold on January 30, including a Jumat service, alongside a golf competition where Governor Makinde is expected to tee off in the morning.

The committee chairman said January 31 has been set aside as Youth Day, with young people from across the state converging on Adamasingba for activities including a novelty football match, the finals of school competitions, and the recognition of young innovators and change makers with awards.

According to him, activities on February 1 will include a church service in the morning and a special programme in the evening for elderly women and physically challenged persons, as part of efforts to give back to vulnerable groups.

On February 2, the First Lady of Oyo State will visit selected primary and secondary schools to interact with pupils and students and present gifts and prizes, alongside another women-focused programme.

Akinade-Fijabi said the celebrations would formally climax on February 3 with a gala night dinner at the State House Banquet Hall, where distinguished indigenes and non-indigenes who have contributed to the development of Oyo State will be honoured.

He added that former governors of the state since 1976, or their families, are expected to receive service awards.
He also disclosed plans for an air show featuring aircraft flyovers during the celebration, describing it as a symbol of peace and unity in the state.

Fielding questions from journalists, Akinade-Fijabi said non-indigenes who have made significant contributions to the state would also be recognised, stressing that Oyo State’s progress over the last 50 years has been shaped by people from diverse backgrounds.

He emphasised that the celebration is non-partisan and open to all, adding that invitations have been extended to President Bola Tinubu and other political leaders across the country.

On legacy projects, he noted that the golden jubilee is designed as a year-long celebration, with several projects scheduled for commissioning throughout the year, beginning from February 3.

He called on residents and friends of Oyo State to participate actively in the celebrations, describing the anniversary as a moment to reflect, celebrate and recommit to the future of the state.