Oyo State, today, set the tone for its Golden Jubilee celebrations, unveiling the official Oyo @50 anniversary logo and activating a countdown to the historic 50th anniversary of the state’s creation.
The ceremony, held at the Governor’s Office Car Park within the Secretariat in Ibadan, drew a wide spectrum of dignitaries, including senior government officials, traditional rulers, former public office holders and stakeholders from different sectors of society.
Presiding over the event, the eighteenth and incumbent governor of the state, Engineer Seyi Makinde, described the unveiling as more than a ceremonial exercise, noting that it symbolised five decades of endurance, transformation and hope.
Makinde recalled that he was only eight years old when Oyo State was carved out on February 3, 1976, adding that the moment offered an opportunity for reflection and renewal.
The governor stated, “This is not just another date on the calendar. “In 50 days, Oyo State will be 50 years old. It is a story of resilience, heritage, progress, and promise that belongs to all of us.”
Since its creation, Oyo State has been administered by 18 leaders, spanning military governors, sole administrators and elected civilian governors.
They include Col. David Jemibewon, Col. Paul Chabri Tarfa, Chief Bola Ige—the state’s first civilian governor—Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, Lt. Col. Oladayo Popoola, Col. Adetunji Olurin, Col. Sasaenia Oresanya, Col. Abdulkareem Adisa, Chief Kolapo Ishola, Navy Capt. Adetoye Sode, Col. Chinyere Ike Nwosu, Col. Ahmed Usman, CP Amen Oyakhire, the late Dr. Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the first governor to serve two terms.
Makinde assured residents that the Golden Jubilee would be inclusive and forward-looking, stressing that the celebrations would go beyond pageantry to feature cultural showcases, intellectual forums, grassroots engagements and youth-centred programmes designed to deepen unity and shared purpose across the state.
He described Oyo State as a pace-setter within the Nigerian federation, citing its enduring influence in education, culture, governance and commerce, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to laying sustainable foundations for future generations.
Addressing criticisms over some major infrastructure projects of his government, including the Ibadan Circular Road named after Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the governor said leadership often demands decisions that may attract resistance in the short term but deliver lasting benefits in the long run.
He said, “I am prepared to take the bullets today so that those coming after us can inherit a stronger, better-structured Oyo State.”
A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Oyo @50 logo, which emerged from an open, competitive design process that attracted public submissions.
The winning entry, designed by Mr. Ajayi Olaleye, was selected for its creative representation of the state’s identity, values, and pioneering spirit.
Olaleye was awarded a prize of ₦1.5 million.
Chairman of the Golden Jubilee planning committee, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fideli, praised the governor for assembling a broad-based team to drive the celebrations, disclosing that committee research indicated that about 80 per cent of residents are eagerly looking forward to the anniversary.
Goodwill messages were delivered by eminent Nigerians, including former Minister of Industry, Chief Mrs. Onikepo Akande, and Chief Bayo Oyero, who commended the Makinde administration for what they described as the redefinition of modern governance in Oyo State.
Traditional institutions were also prominently represented at the event, with royal fathers and emissaries including representatives of the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Laoye, the Okere of Saki, the Onpetu of Ijeru, among others, lending cultural gravitas to the historic unveiling.
