Lagos Special Adviser Visits Alaafin of Oyo Ahead of 50th Birthday Celebration

Lagos Special Adviser Visits Alaafin of Oyo Ahead of 50th Birthday Celebration… Seeks Stronger Cultural Collaboration Between Lagos and Oyo

OYO, NIGERIA – The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, on Tuesday, paid a courtesy visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, ahead of the monarch’s 50th birthday celebration.

During the visit, Aregbe delivered warm felicitations from the Lagos State Government, describing the Alaafin’s upcoming golden jubilee as not just a personal milestone, but a celebration of cultural strength, royal continuity, and visionary leadership.

“This visit is not only to honour Kabiyesi on his 50th birthday, but also to deepen the cultural ties that unite Lagos and Oyo,” Aregbe said. “There’s a shared heritage between our people, and this is a valuable opportunity to reinforce and celebrate that bond.”

He noted that the interaction with the monarch was both enlightening and inspiring, praising Oba Owoade as a custodian of deep cultural knowledge and Yoruba history. “Kabiyesi is a wellspring of wisdom,” Aregbe said. “His understanding of tradition and his vision for preserving African heritage reflect the true essence of royalty.”

The Special Adviser also used the occasion to reflect on the evolving role of traditional rulers in modern society, stressing their importance in shaping cultural identity, governance narratives, and community development.

He reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to strengthening inter-state cultural partnerships that promote tourism, the creative economy, and the safeguarding of Nigeria’s cultural legacy.

The visit is part of ongoing efforts to foster unity and collaboration among states with shared historical and cultural roots.