Newsletter No 131 from Governor Seyi Makinde
The first two weeks of January have moved really fast, and in the next few days, we will be celebrating a major milestone in the history of our dear State.
Earlier today, at the President’s request, I met with him to discuss urgent governance issues, because leadership sometimes requires direct, high-level intervention in the interest of Oyo State.
Moments like this remind me of both the duty and privilege of serving Oyo State at defining points in its history.
As Governor of Oyo State, I have had the privilege of witnessing and marking several milestones, but I must say that being here to celebrate Oyo State at 50 is one of the most significant. I was just about eight years old when Oyo State was created out of the then Western State, so I can speak to a meaningful portion of our fifty years of history – our growth, resilience, culture, enterprise, and collective progress.
This State has shaped me in profound ways. It is where I have grown, where I belong, and where I have chosen to serve. Over the years, I have had opportunities to pursue life elsewhere, but my heart has always remained here. My commitment to Oyo State is not just political, it is personal.
And so, I am pleased to announce that from Monday, 26 January to Wednesday, 4 February 2026, we will mark ten days of deeply meaningful celebration of Oyo State at 50.
We will host cultural, social, civic, and commemorative events that reflect the richness and diversity of our people. From the Opening Ceremony to medical outreaches across all Local Government Areas, carnival parades, concerts, the Oyo State @ 50 Symposium, cultural celebrations, Jumat services, thanksgiving services, youth recognition, award ceremonies, and a grand air show finale. As promised, our newly constructed Banquet Hall in the Oyo State Government House will be ready to receive distinguished Friends of Oyo State for the Dinner and Awards Ceremony.
I see this anniversary as both a moment of gratitude and a moment of responsibility. We honour the pioneers who laid the foundations of our State. We celebrate the citizens who have sustained its spirit. And we recommit ourselves to continue building an Oyo State that is stronger, fairer, more prosperous, and better prepared for the next generation.
To be clear, this celebration is also about reflection. We are asking important questions about legacy, leadership, and the future we want to hand over.
Over the last six years plus, we have made deliberate investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agribusiness, security, youth development, and economic resilience. But beyond projects and policies, we remain focused on building systems that outlast administrations and serve generations.
This celebration is therefore not just ceremonial; it is a renewal of purpose.
I invite indigenes, residents, and friends of Oyo State, at home and in the diaspora, to share your goodwill messages, prayers, memories, and hopes on our official Oyo State @ 50 Tribute Wall.
Add your message to our Digital Tribute Wall
Your words will become part of our collective digital legacy, preserved as a living memory of this historic milestone.
Thank you for believing in our shared journey. Thank you for standing with Oyo State through seasons of challenge and progress.
The story of Oyo State is still being written, and I am confident that our best chapters lie ahead.
Talk to you again soon, Seyi Makinde
@Governor Seyi Makinde