The family of the founder of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Publishers of PUNCH Newspapers, the late Olu Aboderin; a former Minister of Industry, Chief Onikepo Akande, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, alongside 71 other distinguished sons and daughters of Oyo State, were honoured with various awards as activities marking the state’s 50th anniversary climaxed in Ibadan, the state capital, on Tuesday.
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.
While the late Aboderin was honoured with the Media Icon Award, Akande received the Merit Award of Excellence.
Speaking at the event, Governor Seyi Makinde traced 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.”
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.
“I have seen the progress of Oyo over these 50 years, and I must say that you have a hardworking governor. The giant strides we are seeing today (Tuesday) are real,” he said.
He praised the administration’s investment in education and urban renewal, noting that Ibadan was regaining its historic status.
“The Ibadan we knew during the First Republic was number one, and Governor Makinde has brought the city back to its former glory.
“The celebration is not about one government or political party but about the collective journey of the state. We are celebrating a living state, its people, resilience, growth and future,” he added.
Earlier, all roads leading to the programme venue were blocked, creating artificial hindrances in the area.
Ibadan residents were treated to an aerial display as three aircraft flew over the city to mark the anniversary.
The aircraft performed an aerobatic display for nearly 30 minutes.
The event is part of a series of cultural, social, and developmental programmes that reflect on the state’s journey since its creation in February 1976.
Among those honoured under the Merit Award of Excellence category were the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Priscilla Kuye; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola (retd); late Prof. Felicia Adebola Adeyoyin; Prof. Toyin Falola; Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister; Archdeacon Emmanuel Oladipo Alayande; Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao; late Mr Taiwo Akinkunmi; Prof. Bolanle Awe; late Chief (Mrs) Aminat Abiodun; Chief Bode Amoo; and others.
Dignitaries at the event included Chairman, PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Mrs Angela Emuwa; former Governors Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Lucky Igbinedion (Edo); former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (South), Chief Bode George, veteran juju musician, Chief Ebenezer Obey; and Nigerian singer, Abolore Adegbola popularly known as 9ice, among others.
The PUNCH reports that Makinde inaugurated the state’s 50th anniversary on Monday, January 26, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
Family members of former governors, traditional and religious leaders, top government functionaries, and political stakeholders gathered at the ICC to celebrate the state, which was created on February 3, 1976, from the former Western Region of Nigeria, with Ibadan as its administrative capital.
The state government had unveiled a week-long programme for the anniversary on January 21, 2026.
The events include religious services, cultural exhibitions, an awards and dinner night, and a public lecture titled, “Consolidating the Legacy, Navigating the Present and Reimagining the Future.”
Makinde had earlier appointed Saheed Fijabi, a former member of the House of Representatives, as chairman of the 11-member planning committee for the anniversary.
At the grand finale on Tuesday, the governor recalled that early beneficiaries of the policy were once doubted but had since proven its success.
