By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday, appointed a former member of the House of Representatives, Saheed Fijabi, as the Chairman of the Oyo State at 50 Anniversary Committee.
The governor, in a letter signed by his Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, obtained by Punch Online in Ibadan, the state capital, announced the appointment of the 11-member committee.
The letter read, “Other members of the committee include a former Head of Service of the state, Ololade Agboola (Deputy Chairman); Z.O. Ajuwon; Mustapha Areo; Fatimah Azeez; S.A. Adejumo; and John Alabi.
“Other members of the committee are A.K. Bello; Ronke Adedayo (Secretary); Fatai Owoseni and the Director General of Protocol, Samuel Badejo.”
The statement noted that the appointment is with immediate effect.
Oyo State was created on February 3, 1976, by the military government of late General Murtala Mohammed.
It was carved out of the old Western State as part of the nationwide state-creation exercise aimed at bringing governance closer to the people and promoting balanced regional development.
At its creation, Oyo State originally included the present-day Osun State, which was later separated in August 1991 by the General Ibrahim Babangida administration.
Over the past five decades, the state has evolved from its agrarian and educational roots into a centre of commerce, politics, and cultural renaissance in Nigeria’s South-West.