Amanze Chinonye
Ogun State marked its 50th anniversary in a grand blend of culture, reflection and development, as weeks of carefully curated activities culminated in a colourful street carnival that transformed Abeokuta into a living showcase of heritage, unity and shared progress.
The OGUN @ 50 celebrations, commemorating the state’s creation in 1976, drew residents, dignitaries and visitors from across Nigeria, offering not just pageantry but a broader narrative of Ogun’s journey over five decades, one shaped by resilience, enterprise and cultural pride.
Streets Alive with Culture
The highlight of the anniversary was the OGUN @ 50 Street Carnival and Road Show, which brought Abeokuta’s major roads alive with colour, music and movement. Elaborately decorated floats representing the state’s major cultural blocs Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba (RIYE) rolled through the city alongside a symbolic float celebrating Ogun’s riverine communities, underscoring the diversity that defines the state.
More than 3,000 participants, drawn from across Ogun’s 20 local government areas, took part in the procession. Traditional dancers, drummers, masquerades, folkloric performers, skaters and bikers turned the city into a moving theatre of sound and spectacle. The road show began from Oke-Igbein, passed through Omida and Oke-Ilewo, and culminated at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, where cultural performances continued late into the day.
Speaking at the finale, Governor Dapo Abiodun described the carnival as a defining moment of the Golden Jubilee.
“The OGUN @ 50 Street Carnival was a vibrant and memorable celebration as we joined our people to mark five decades of our beloved Ogun State. The colourful displays, music, dance and cultural performances reflected our rich heritage, unity and creative spirit. It was more than a carnival; it was a joyful expression of who we are as a people and a fitting highlight of our golden anniversary,” the governor said.
Governor Abiodun added that the event showcased Ogun State’s cultural strength, organisational capacity and growing prominence, attributing the state’s steady progress to the resilience, creativity and industrious spirit of its people.
Faith, Reflection and Collective Memory
Beyond the carnival, the Golden Jubilee featured moments of reflection and thanksgiving. An inter-faith thanksgiving service held at the Arcade Ground, Abeokuta, brought together former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor Olusegun Osoba, traditional rulers, political leaders and eminent indigenes.
The gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on Ogun’s journey since 1976, with prayers offered for continued peace, unity and sustainable development. Speakers at the event highlighted the state’s contributions to Nigeria’s political, economic and intellectual history, describing Ogun as a cradle of leadership and innovation.
Development as Celebration
In a deliberate shift from symbolism to substance, the Ogun State Government tied the anniversary celebrations to tangible development outcomes. The Golden Jubilee programme commenced with the weekly commissioning of major infrastructure projects across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Projects inaugurated during the anniversary period included key road networks such as the Sagamu–Ayepe Road, Afon Palace Road in Imeko/Afon, sections of the Abeokuta–Obalende Road, and the Osinubi New Town Road in Ijebu-Ode. The Wole Soyinka Train Terminal was also unveiled as part of efforts to improve transportation and stimulate economic activity.
According to the government, the strategy was designed to ensure that the celebration of 50 years translated into lasting benefits for residents, reinforcing development as a core legacy of the anniversary.
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Banquet, Youth Engagement and Civic Participation
A state banquet held as part of the celebrations brought together political leaders, traditional rulers, former officeholders and captains of industry to reflect on Ogun’s shared achievements and future aspirations.
Youth participation also featured prominently. Groups such as the Nigeria Youth Organisation took part in anniversary activities, emphasising civic responsibility, unity and the role of young people in sustaining the state’s development trajectory.
More Than a Celebration
For many residents, Ogun @50 was more than a ceremonial milestone. It was a moment of reconnection to roots, to community and to a shared story that has evolved over half a century. From the rhythm of talking drums on Abeokuta’s streets to the quiet reflections at thanksgiving services, the anniversary captured both the spirit and substance of the state.
As the final drumbeats faded at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena and the Golden Jubilee events drew to a close, one message resonated clearly: Ogun State’s strength lies not only in infrastructure or economic indicators, but in the people, cultures and collective resolve that continue to shape its future.
As Ogun looks beyond its Golden Jubilee, the celebrations stood as both a tribute to the past and a confident stride into the next chapter of its history.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
