Activities marking the 50th anniversary of Oyo State’s creation will begin today.
The opening ceremony is scheduled to be held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, according to the 50 Anniversary Committee Chairman, Saheed Akinade-Fijabi.
Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde is expected to deliver a welcome address at the ceremony, which will feature drum performance, documentary presentation on the state, goodwill messages and a poetry session.
Oyo State was created on February 3, 1976 by the General Murtala Muhammed administration.
The anniversary event will continue on Tuesday with ceremonies across the 33 local government areas of the state with a medical outreach programme and an open air film show.
The committee stated that while the medical outreach will take place across the state, the film show, which will be anchored by Kunle Afolayan, will take place at the Cultural Centre, Mokola, Ibadan; Oyo Town Hall, Oyo; Ogbomoso Township Stadium, Ogbomoso: Eruwa Grammar School, Eruwa; Saki Town Hall and Iseyin District Grammar School, Iseyin.
The notice of events also stated that there will be a Carnival/Local Government Parade on Wednesday, January 28, from the historic Mapo Hall to the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, with residents dressed in “Oyo at 50” ankara materials.
There will also be a march past at the stadium, with the governor expected to address the carnival procession.
Other activities include the Oyo at 50 dymposium, with Prof. Olu Ajakaiye as the lead discussant, on Thursday, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, as well as an exhibition of Arts and Artefacts at the same venue and a fashion runway/miming.
Other major highlights of the event include a Golf Tee-off on Friday, a Concert/Youth Gathering on Saturday and presentation of educational materials on Monday.
The closing ceremony of the anniversary will take place on Tuesday, February 3, with a cocktail, an airshow and an award dinner, where former Governors of the state will be honoured as well as outstanding Oyo State indigenes and residents, who will be given merit awards and inducted into the Oyo State Hall of Fame.
A statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said the air show will continue on February 4.
