The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has announced the inaugural Oyo Empire Day Celebration, which aims to serve as a unifying event for all descendants of Oyo ancestry around the world.
Oba Owoade urged all stakeholders to set aside sectional interests and collaborate to ensure the success of the first Oyo Empire Day Celebration.
In a statement released on Wednesday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the monarch announced that the three-day celebration will take place from Thursday, December 17, to Saturday, December 19, 2026.
The Alaafin emphasized that the event is intended to strengthen cultural awareness, encourage collaboration among Oyo communities, promote historical research, enhance tourism and investment, and inspire younger generations to preserve the legacy of the Oyo Empire.
“Oyo Empire Day is not a celebration of Oyo Atiba alone. It is a celebration of the common ancestry, history, civilisation, institutions, values, and cultural heritage of the entire Oyo-speaking people wherever they reside,” the Alaafin stated.
He added that the celebration is intended to provide a unifying platform for all Oyo descendants to reconnect with their shared identity while promoting unity, scholarship, tourism, youth development, and sustainable socio-economic collaboration.
To ensure inclusiveness, the Alaafin has nominated a broad-based Planning Committee made up of academics, professionals, business leaders, industrialists, politicians, technocrats, media practitioners, cultural ambassadors, youth, women leaders, and diaspora representatives.
Members were drawn from Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Lagos States, and the Republic of Benin.
Prominent traditional rulers on the committee include the Olu of Ilaro, Onimasai of Imasayi, Olu of Owode Yewa, Aboro of Ibese, Olooro of Oro, Oba of Sao, Ogunsua of Modakeke, Ona Onibode of Igboho, Alagere of Ago Are, and Alado of Awaye.
Other eminent personalities listed include Professor Adejumo, Dr. Kunle Ogunmola, Dr. Wole Duro-Ladipo, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Baba Bamiji Ojo, and Pa Tunde Kelani.
The Alaafin expressed confidence in the caliber, experience and patriotism of the nominees and other royal fathers who have identified with the initiative. He said their participation underscores the inclusive vision that every town with historical roots in Oyo should see itself as part of the celebration.
It was also noted in the statement that the full membership of the Committee will be formally unveiled at its inauguration.