As part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of Oyo State, the state government has honoured 74 prominent indigenes.
The awards were presented at a well-attended ceremony held at the new Banquet Hall, Government House, Ibadan, with no fewer than 17 former military administrators and civilian governors of the state in attendance.
In his address, the state’s governor, Seyi Makinde, traced the success of his personal journey to the free education policy of the late Chief Bola Ige, describing it as a defining pillar of the state’s legacy.
He said, “I went to secondary school under Chief Bola Ige’s administration, from 1980 to 1985. That period laid the foundation for who I later became. That is Oyo State, the beauty of what we are celebrating today. I am a product of free education in this state.”
He added that the state had continued to evolve through successive national phases, including military rule and the return to democracy in 1999, during which the focus shifted to rebuilding institutions and strengthening governance.
“Infrastructure renewal, security reforms and urban modernisation later became defining priorities, helping the state overcome periods of tension and institutional testing.
“Today, we are building on all that has come before, delivering long-term, system-driven infrastructure, transport reforms and economic projects that will be commissioned throughout this anniversary year.
“Some people may think Oyo at 50 is the end of the story, but this is just the beginning,” he said.
He said the anniversary celebrations would continue throughout the year with the inauguration of major projects, including the upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, now an international facility, and key sections of the Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road.
“Within the first quarter of this year, before the end of March 2026, the first segment of the circular road will be commissioned,” he said.
The governor also revealed that the state had ordered surveillance aircraft to strengthen security and modern electric buses to improve public transportation, adding that development must be system-driven rather than cosmetic.
“Development is not a spectacle; it is a system. Systems endure when they are designed for people, not for optics or politics”, Makinde added.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, described the anniversary as a significant milestone and commended Makinde for what he called visible and impactful development.
