Alaafin Shuns Oyo@50 Opening Ceremony

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, was conspicuously absent from the opening ceremony of Oyo State at 50 celebrations, which was held on Monday at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (UI).

The absence of the Alaafin has reinforced the perceived conflict between the the traditional ruler and the Oyo State government.

LEADERSHIP reports that Alaafin is at loggerheads with the State Government over the rotational chairmanship of the new Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

It would be recalled that the military government of the late General Murtala Mohammed created Oyo State on February 3, 1976.

At the Monday’s event, Governor Seyi Makinde gave a welcome address while the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Edward Ogundoyin, gave a goodwill message.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and other prominent monarchs in the State.

The Oyo State @ 50 Anniversary Committee is chaired by a former two-time Member of the House of Representatives, Hon Saheed Akinade-Fijabi.

The celebration will continue on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 with two major events, namely; Health Outreach and Film Show taking place.

On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, an anniversary carnival walk will be held, with artisans, students, traders and other residents of the state moving from the historic Mapo Hall to Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

One of the major highlights of the Oyo State @ 50 Golden Jubilee is the symposium scheduled to hold on Thursday, January 29, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, with the theme: “Consolidating the Legacy: Navigating the Present and Reimagining the Future.”

The lead speaker is Prof. Olu Ajakaiye. Other guest speakers are; Prof Olanrewaju Olaniyan, Prof. Dikirulahi Yagboyaju and Dr Durodola Kamoru Ogunsesan.

This will be followed by a Juma’at Service on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Ibadan Central Mosque, while on Saturday, there will be Isese service by traditional worshippers.

Akinade-Fijabi added that on Saturday, January 31, 2026, a novelty football match will take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, between a team led by Governor Makinde and a team led by football icon of Oyo State’s extraction, Mutiu Adepoju.

On Sunday, February 1, 2026, a Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan, which will be followed by an event tagged ‘An Afternoon with the Elderly and PLWD’, to be held at the Omololu Olunloyo Park, Airport Road, Ibadan.