Alaafin seeks unity ahead of inaugural Oyo Empire Day celebration
By Adejayan Gbenga
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has called on stakeholders across communities of Oyo ancestry to unite in ensuring the success of the inaugural Oyo Empire Day celebration, describing the event as a platform to preserve the empire’s history, strengthen cultural identity and promote socio-economic development.
The monarch also announced the constitution of a broad-based planning committee comprising eminent sons and daughters of Oyo ancestry from Nigeria and the Republic of Benin to coordinate preparations for the celebration, which is scheduled to hold from Dec. 17 to 19, 2026.
In a statement issued Wednesday by the Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, Oba Owoade urged stakeholders to set aside sectional interests and work together to ensure that every descendant of the historic Oyo Empire has a place in the celebration, regardless of residence or profession.
He said the annual event would serve as a rallying point for people of Oyo ancestry by strengthening cultural consciousness, encouraging historical research and documentation, promoting tourism and economic partnerships, and inspiring younger generations to preserve the empire’s legacy.
The Alaafin stressed that Oyo Empire Day is not a celebration of Oyo Atiba alone but of the shared ancestry, civilization, institutions, values and cultural heritage of all Oyo-speaking people wherever they reside.
He added that the initiative would foster unity, encourage historical scholarship, attract investment, support youth development and drive sustainable socio-economic collaboration across communities of Oyo ancestry.
Oba Owoade expressed confidence in the planning committee, traditional rulers and other stakeholders backing the initiative, saying their collective efforts would establish Oyo Empire Day as an enduring annual cultural and historical event with international significance.
According to the statement, the committee comprises academics, professionals, industrialists, business leaders, politicians, technocrats, media practitioners, cultural ambassadors, youth and women leaders, diaspora representatives and other accomplished sons and daughters of Oyo ancestry from Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi and Lagos states, as well as the Republic of Benin, while its full membership will be unveiled at the inauguration.
