Nigeria as a sovereign state has 36 states and Oyo is one of it, but, some Nigerians, indigenes and residents of the state do not know that it is called ‘The Pacesetter State’.

Also, some do not know that Oyo state, was coined and named after a prominent town, Oyo Alafin; which is an inland state in the south-western Nigeria with its capital at Ibadan.

The state with about 4.5 million people and predominantly occupied by Yoruba people is bordered in the north by Kwara State, in the east by Osun State, in the south by Ogun State and in the west partly by Ogun State and partly by the Republic of Benin.

Reports that the state has 33 local government areas and prominent sons and daughters, whose contributions to the development of the country could not be easily ignored, was created as a state in 1976 from Western State, and included Osun State, which was split off in 1991.

The indigenes mainly comprise the Oyos, the Oke-Oguns, the Ibadans and the Ibarapas, all belonging to the Yoruba family.

The major towns

Like many other states in the south west, Oyo state is developed as a state in consonant with the status of the first generation state and this is evidenced in some of the prominent towns and cities within the state. The towns and cities are; Ibadan, Oyo, Iseyin, Ogbomoso, Okeho, Saki, Igboho, Kisi, Igbo-Ora, Lalupon, Fiditi, Ilora, Eruwa, Igbeti, Sepeteri, Ilora, Awe, Igbo-Ora and Otu.

The many firsts of the state as its slogan connotes, Oyo State is a pace setter in all fronts as it plays host to the first university in Nigeria, the University of Ibadan known as the premier university of Nigeria.

University of Ibadan

The university was founded in 1948 as College of the University of London until it was converted into an autonomous university in 1962.

First NTA

The first Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan, was established in 1959 by late Obafemi Awolowo as WNTV before it changed to NTA Ibadan. It is the oldest television station in the whole continent of Africa and it serves as a museum in journalism.

Old Oyo National Park

It is one of the premier national parks in Nigeria and it lies in the north-western part of the Oyo State. It is about 160 kilometres from Ibadan and it has an area of about 2,500 square kilometers and harbours a wide variety of wildlife.

Prominent Monarchs

NAIJ.com can reveal that undisputedly, Alafin stool is the Chairman of Oyo state Council of Obas and several attempts to change it were null and void. Till date, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, Alaafin of Oyo, is the leader of all the Obas in the state. Also, the Olubadan and Soun’s stools are of the first class status.

Alaafin

Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, who is the incumbent Alaafin of Oyo ascended the throne in 1970 to succeed Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II.

Olubadan

The current Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, is the 41st monarch to ascend the prestigious stool of Olubadan and succeeded Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I, who joined his ancestors on Tuesday 19th January 2016, aged 101.

Soun

His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III JP, CON, is the incumbent Soun of Ogbomosho and the monarch ascended the throne of his forefathers in 1973 and today, he is the leader of the Obas and traditional chiefs in Ogbomosho land.

Notable indigenes

The Pacesetter State is blessed with many notable sons and daughters who had paid their dues for the advancement of the country. Some of them are; Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, Alaafin of Oyo; the incumbent Governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi; Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja; Otunba Adebayo Alao- Akala; late Lam Adesina; late Emmanuel Oladipo Alayande; Professor Dibu Ojerinde, immediate past Registrar, The Registrar Joint Matriculation Board of Nigeria; late Arisekola Alao, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland; late Fuji Icon, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and Alhaji Saheed Osupa, a notable Fuji musician.

Others are; late Lamidi Ariyibi Akanbi Adedibu; Chief Richard Akinjide( former Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice); Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, first female Speaker OYHA and first female Senator from the state; Oloye Jumoke Akinjide (former Minister of state for FCT); Chief Lai Balogun; Chief Harry Akande; Mr. Niyi Otunla, former Accountant General of the Federation; Prof James Adelabu, former Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja; Abass Akande Obesere, musician and late Dauda Akanmu Epo Akara.

Festivals

The state is dominated by the Yorubas who see their culture and tradition as their way of life and some of the festivals are:

Sango festival

NAIJ.com reliably learnt that Sango Festival is an annual festival held among the Yoruba people in honour of Sango, a thunder and fire deity who was a warlord and the third king of the Oyo Kingdom after succeeding Ajaka his elder brother. The festival is usually held in August at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo.

Oke Ibadan

Oke Ibadan is an ancient festival that is celebrated annually and it is popular among locals, crowds flock to take part in the festivities. The festival name translates to “hill of Ibadan” and the festival includes legends about the original site of Ibadan, which was located on a hill. Oke Ibadan festival includes fertility rites and honours the founder of Ibadan and the goddess of the hill.

New Yam Festival

The New Yam festival is celebrated annually in August and the festival symbolises the end of a season of work and the beginning of a new season. NAIJ.com can exclusively report that friends and family gather to feast on meals of yams and there are displays of cultural dances. At the beginning of the festival, yams are offered to the gods and ancestors to thank them for a good harvest and to ensure a good harvest the following season.

Tourist centres

Sightseers are welcome to Oyo State because the state is endowed with many tourist sites that will wet their appetite.

Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan

The Zoological Garden is one of the leading zoological gardens in Nigeria. It has a wide variety of wild animals such as gorilla, lion, chimpanzees, crocodiles, baboons, snakes, ostriches, emus, white storks, hooded vulture, mona monkeys, drill monkeys, horses, donkeys etc.

We all obviously believe one fact- Ibadan has the most brown roofs in Nigeria