ABEOKUTA – The ancient city of Abeokuta was transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors, rhythmic drumming, and artistic splendor on Thursday as the Ogun State Government held a massive cultural carnival and road show to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the state’s creation.
The event, a centerpiece of the week-long Golden Jubilee celebrations, saw thousands of residents and tourists lining the streets from Isale-Igbein through Omida and Oke-Ilewo, cheering as a grand procession made its way to the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Kuto.
A Tapestry of Heritage
The parade featured six elaborately designed floats that paid homage to the foundational pillars of the state—Remo, Ijebu, Yewa, and Egba (RIYE). A special symbolic fish float was also a crowd favorite, representing the rich traditions and economic contributions of the state’s riverine communities.
Over 3,000 participants drawn from all 20 Local Government Areas took part in the festivities. The lineup included:
- Traditional dancers and folkloric performers.
- Intimidating yet graceful masquerades.
- Vibrant troupes of drummers and acrobats.
- Modern displays by skaters and bikers, blending the old with the new.
”The Gateway to Tourism”
Addressing a massive crowd at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Governor Dapo Abiodun expressed immense pride in the state’s journey since its creation on February 3, 1976.
”Just as we demonstrated during the National Sports Festival, we have once again shown that Ogun State is not only the gateway to Nigeria’s prosperity, but also the gateway to tourism, culture, and social awakening,” the Governor stated.
Governor Abiodun attributed the state’s five decades of progress to the “resilience, creativity, and hard work” of its people. He seized the moment to honor past leaders and dedicated civil servants who laid the foundation for what has become Nigeria’s leading industrial and intellectual hub.
Legacy and Future
The carnival follows a series of high-profile anniversary events, including the declaration of a public holiday on February 3, an inter-faith thanksgiving service attended by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Governor Olusegun Osoba, and the commissioning of several multi-billion naira road projects across the three senatorial districts.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the ISEYA development agenda, promising to sustain the momentum of growth in healthcare, education, and infrastructure as the state enters its next half-century.
As the sun set over the stadium, the atmosphere remained electric with musical performances and cultural displays, cementing the Golden Jubilee as a landmark moment in the history of the “Gateway State.”
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