Alaafin Unveils 37-Member Committee for 2026 Oyo Empire Day Celebration

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has inaugurated a 37-member Central Working Committee to coordinate the 2026 Oyo Empire Day Celebration, with a strong emphasis on preserving and promoting Yoruba cultural heritage.

The traditional ruler inaugurated the committee on Tuesday at his palace in Oyo town, charging members to carry out their responsibilities with integrity, unity and dedication.

Oba Owoade said the celebration was aimed at preserving, documenting and promoting the history and cultural heritage of the ancient Oyo Empire for present and future generations.

According to him, the Oyo Empire played a significant role in the history of Yorubaland, West Africa and the wider African continent.

He highlighted its sophisticated political institutions, military organisation, diplomacy, commerce, intellectual traditions and cultural practices as evidence of the strength and advancement of the civilisation.

The monarch said the achievements of the ancestors should not simply be remembered as events of the past but should serve as a foundation for future development.

The theme of the 2026 celebration, “Celebrating Our Heritage, Preserving Our Legacy, Building Our Future,” reflects the organisers’ commitment to ensuring that Yoruba history and traditions remain relevant to younger generations.

Oba Owoade stressed that communities and individuals must understand the values, institutions and achievements that shaped the Oyo civilisation.

He said preserving history was essential to maintaining cultural identity, adding that the celebration would provide an opportunity to bring together traditional rulers, historians, scholars, cultural practitioners, government officials, businesses, young people and friends of Oyo from Nigeria and other parts of the world.

The Alaafin called for active participation from communities across present-day Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Ogun and Ondo states, as well as Oyo-linked communities in the Republic of Benin.

He clarified that the initiative was not intended to diminish the history or heritage of other communities but to ensure that the history of Oyo was properly documented and celebrated.

The monarch also urged historians and researchers to undertake detailed studies of the Oyo Empire, while encouraging young people to learn about their history, ask questions and take responsibility for preserving their cultural heritage.

He appealed to Oyo indigenes in the diaspora, corporate organisations, development partners and friends of Oyo to support the celebration through financial, intellectual, technological and cultural contributions.

Among the areas the committee is expected to focus on are heritage tourism, preservation of historical monuments, documentation of oral traditions, scholarships and the development of cultural industries.

Oba Owoade formally inaugurated the committee and directed its members to begin work immediately.

Committee Leadership
The Central Working Committee is co-chaired by former Independent National Electoral Commission Commissioner Dr Adekunle Ogunmola and Prof Soji Adejumo.

Other members include Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Engineer A.K. Amodu, Chief Banji Ojo, Prof Kouchade Clement, Hon Minister of Secondary Education of the Republic of Benin, Chief Bisi Ilaka, Senator Yunus Akintunde, Chief Gani Kayode Balogun, the Otun Akogun of Ibadan, and several other prominent personalities.

Also listed among the members are Chief Kamarudeen Osungbekun, Chairman of Ibadan Ancient Warlords; Ambassador Tunde Mustapha; Dr Azeez Adeduntan; Dr Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan; Prof Moshood Lanrewaju Nassir; Prof Seun Kolade; Prof Kola Abimbola; Dr Paula Gomez; Dr Haadi Babatunde Asiyanbi; Dr Bola Oyedepo; Dr Wole Akanni Duro-Ladipo and Rev. Dr Dele Kolade.

Speaking at the inauguration, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, who is retired, praised the Alaafin for prioritising the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage.

He described the monarch as an important custodian of Yoruba history and traditions and encouraged people to support the cultural initiatives of the Oyo throne.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola expressed appreciation to the Alaafin for the confidence placed in the members.

He said the committee had been given the responsibility of laying a strong foundation for the Oyo Empire Day Celebration and promised that members would work towards achieving the objectives of the initiative.

The 2026 celebration is expected to serve as a major platform for bringing together traditional institutions, scholars, cultural organisations, government representatives and communities to celebrate the historical influence of the ancient Oyo Empire while encouraging efforts to preserve Yoruba heritage for future generations.

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