Alaafin inaugurates committee for Oyo Empire Day celebration
By Adejayan Gbenga
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has inaugurated a 37-member Central Working Committee for the maiden Oyo Empire Day celebration scheduled to hold from December 17 to 19, 2026.
The monarch inaugurated the committee on Tuesday at his palace in Oyo, charging members to approach the assignment with commitment, integrity, humility and a strong sense of duty.
The committee is chaired by Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, with Professor Soji Adejumo as vice chairman and Prince Dapo Olakulehin as secretary. Other members include Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Chief Bamiji Ojo, Engr A.K. Amodu, Professor Kouchade Clement, Professor Abiola Adebayo, Chief Bisi Ilaka, Senator Yunus Akintunde and Hon. Akeem Adeyemi.
Other members are Chief Gani Kayode Balogun, Chief Kamarudeen Osungbekun, Ambassador Tunde Mustapha, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, Dr. Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, Professor Moshood Lanrewaju Nassir, Professor Seun Kolade, Prof Kola Abimbola, Dr. Paula Gomez, Dr. Haadi Babatunde Asiyanbi, Dr. Bola Oyedepo and Dr. Wole Akanni Duro-Ladipo.
The committee also includes Rev. Dr. Dele Kolade, Prince Adebayo Sheriff Onisile, Oba Kifuli Adepadabowale Onilaso, Aare Laji Abass, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, Mogaji Moshood Akere, Mr. Ademola Adeniyi, Hon. Aderemi Paul Afolabi, Mr. Dayo Alagbe, Bioye Adewumi, Lasun Oguntade, Mr. Segun Oke, Mr Olarenwaju Fagbodun and Hon. Rauf Salawu.
During the inauguration, Oba Owoade said the celebration was conceived as a broad-based initiative to bring together Oyo people, traditional institutions, scholars, historians, cultural practitioners, governments, businesses, young people and friends of Oyo from across Nigeria and beyond.
He said the programme would promote historical research, cultural preservation, tourism development, economic opportunities, youth engagement and international partnerships, with activities including a heritage and opening ceremony, book presentation, cultural exhibitions, the Oyo Empire Colloquium and tourism activities.
The monarch said the theme, “Celebrating Our Heritage, Preserving Our Legacy, Building Our Future,” captured the essence of the initiative, adding that the celebration should transcend individual interests and political affiliations. He urged the committee to work towards making the event an annual institution that would preserve Oyo’s history and create opportunities for future generations.
