The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, on Tuesday, unveiled 37 members of the Oyo Empire Day Celebration Central Working Committee for 2026.

Alaafin, while inaugurating the committee in his palace in Oyo town, called for the preservation of the Yoruba Cultural heritage.

Owoade urged the committee members to work with integrity, unity and commitment towards preserving the history and heritage of the ancient Oyo Empire, adding that the Yoruba has rich cultural heritage that should not be allowed to go into extinction rather, it should be promoted.

The traditional ruler said the Oyo Empire occupied a unique place in the history of Yorubaland, West Africa and the African continent, saying its political institutions, military organisation, diplomacy, commerce, intellectual traditions and cultural heritage demonstrated the sophistication of the civilisation.

He said, “The Oyo Empire occupies a unique and distinguished place in the history of Yorubaland, West Africa and indeed the wider African continent. It was an empire renowned for its sophisticated political institutions, military organization, diplomacy, commerce, intellectual traditions and rich cultural heritage.

“Our ancestors-built institutions that sustained powerful and influential civilisations for centuries. They demonstrated that governance, accountability, diplomacy, courage and collective responsibility are not foreign concepts to our people.

“These are part of our inheritance. The celebration is a deliberate effort to preserve, document, promote and transmit our heritage to present and future generations. The theme: Celebrating Our Heritage, Preserving Our Legacy, Building Our Future, captures the essence of the preservation of the Yoruba Cultural heritage.

“We must celebrate our heritage—not merely by recounting stories of the past, but by understanding the values, institutions and achievements that made the Oyo civilisation remarkable. We must preserve our legacy because people who lose their history gradually lose an important part of their identity and we must build our future because history should not become a museum of memories. It should become a foundation upon which future generations can build,” he stressed.

The monarch added that the celebration would bring together traditional institutions, scholars, historians, cultural practitioners, governments, businesses, young people and friends of Oyo from Nigeria and across the world.

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

He emphasised that the initiative was not designed to diminish the history of other communities but to properly document and celebrate Oyo’s own heritage.

The monarch further called on scholars and historians to ensure that the history of the Oyo Empire was properly researched and documented, while urging young people to learn, question and preserve their history.

He also appealed to sons and daughters of Oyo in the diaspora, corporate organisations, development partners and friends of Oyo to support the initiative through intellectual, financial, technological and cultural contributions.

The traditional ruler further advised the committee to promote heritage tourism, preserve monuments, document oral traditions, encourage scholarships and strengthen the cultural industries.

Alaafin said, “I formally inaugurate the Central Working Committee for the Oyo Empire Day Celebration and charge you to commence your work with immediate effect.”

Earlier, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu (retd) lauded the disposition of Alaafin to the promotion of the rich cultural heritage of Yorubaland, saying, “Alaafin is the custodian of the rich cultural heritage of Yorubaland and oversees the length and breadth of Yorubaland. The entire Yorubaland is the territory of Alaafin of Oyo, hence the need for the people to reference the throne. Whoever reference Alaafin will always receive the blessing of God because he is the representative of God on earth.”

Responding, the former Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Adekunle Ogunmola, appreciated Alaafian for the confidence reposed in the committee, saying, “We have been saddled with the responsibility of laying a solid foundation for the celebration.”

The committee is co-chaired by the former Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, and Prof Soji Adejumo.

Other members are; Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; Engr. A. K. Amodu; Chief Banji Ojo; Prof Kouchade Clement — Hon Minister of Secondary Education, Republic of Benin; Prof Abiola Adebayo —Former Vice-Premier Minister; Professor Abiola Adebayo, Republic of Benin; Chief Bisi Ilaka; Senator Yunus Akintunde; Hon Prince  .   .  and Chief Gani Kayode Balogun — Otun Akogun of Ibadan.

Others are Chief Kamarudeen Osungbekun — Chairman, 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 and Dr. Wole Akanni Duro-Ladipo.  Others include Rev. Dr. Dele Kolade.