The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has called on stakeholders to set aside sectional interests and work collectively towards the success of the maiden Oyo Empire Day celebration, describing the event as a platform for strengthening cultural consciousness, fostering unity and promoting the shared heritage of people of Oyo ancestry.

The monarch also constituted a broad-based planning committee comprising eminent traditional rulers, academics, professionals, business leaders, technocrats, cultural ambassadors, youth and women leaders, media practitioners and diaspora representatives drawn from communities across Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

The three-day maiden celebration is scheduled to be held from December 17 to 19, 2026.

In a statement issued by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin said the annual celebration was conceived as a unifying platform to reconnect descendants of the old Oyo Empire with their common history, civilisation, institutions and cultural values.

According to him, the celebration should serve as a rallying point for all people of Oyo ancestry, regardless of where they reside, their occupations or professional backgrounds.

“The annual celebration should serve as a rallying point for all people of Oyo ancestry, strengthen cultural consciousness, foster collaboration among Oyo communities, encourage historical research and documentation, stimulate tourism and economic partnerships, inspire younger generations to appreciate and preserve the enduring legacy of the Oyo Empire, and further project the cultural excellence of the Oyo people to the world,” the monarch said.

Oba Owoade stressed that Oyo Empire Day was not a celebration of Oyo Atiba alone but of the entire Oyo-speaking people, noting that it was designed to promote unity, historical scholarship, tourism, investment, youth development, cultural renaissance and sustainable socio-economic collaboration.

“Oyo Empire Day is not a celebration of Oyo Atiba alone. Rather, it is a celebration of the common ancestry, history, civilisation, institutions, values and cultural heritage of the entire Oyo-speaking people wherever they reside,” he said.

Alaafin expressed confidence in the calibre and experience of members of the planning committee and other stakeholders, saying their collective commitment would lay a solid foundation for what is envisioned as an enduring annual cultural and historical event of international significance.

He also appreciated traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders for embracing the initiative, describing their support as evidence of the broad acceptance and pan-Oyo character of the celebration.

Among the traditional rulers nominated as stakeholders are the Olu of Ilaro, the Onimasai of Imasayi, the Olu of Owode Yewa, the Aboro of Ibese, the Olooro of Oro, the Oba of Sao, the Oranmiyan of Oko, the Ogunsua of Modakeke, the Ona Onibode of Igboho, the Ajori Iwin of Irawo, the Alagere of Ago-Are and the Alado of Awaye.

Also listed are eminent personalities, including Professor Soji Adejumo, Dr Kunle Ogunmola, Dr. Wole Akanni Duro-Ladipo, Bishop Ayo Lawrence Ladigbolu, veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani, Baba Bamiji Ojo and other distinguished academics, professionals, entrepreneurs and cultural advocates.

The statement added that the full membership of the planning committee would be formally unveiled during its inauguration.