By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
YOUTHFUL governor of Kogi State
, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, will be storming the ancient town of Ogori in Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area for the 2024 annual Ovia Osese Cultural Festival.
The festival, meant to initiate young girls who have attained puberty into womanhood, usually comes up the second week after Easter celebrations.
Iyodina Eyisinayo III (right) presenting gifts to each Ovia at Civic Centre
Stonix News reports that the week-long ceremony cum Ogori Week usually climaxes on Saturday with the grand finale at the Ogori Civic Centre.
The grand finale of this year’s edition, which holds on Saturday, 13 April, 2024, will see Gov Ododo storming the event with other top government functionaries.
National President of Ogori Descendants’ Union (ODU), Engr. Gbemi Omole, custodians and regular organisers of the ritual festival, told journalists during a chat that the 2024 edition of Ovia Osese will be his last as president of the union.
As a result, he said the year’s festival is being packaged to feature a lot of razzmatazz and conviviality in order to leave a lasting impression in the heart of the people.
Ibusike (Ivia Egben) of Onu at Ogori Central Market
Omole said the grand finale, which is scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m at the Ogori Civic Centre on Saturday April 13, would have Governor Ododo as the Special Guest of Honour, while his pretty wife, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, would be the Mother of the Day.
According to him, Chairman/CEO of Afrolyk Globe Ltd, Abuja, Alhaji Ilyasu Audu, would be the Chairman of the occasion, while Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Onyia, Medical Director of Paelon Memorial Hospital, Lagos, would be the Chairlady at the event.
Omole added that Ovia Osese is the only festival in Kogi State that is listed on the country’s Calendar of Festivals because of its functional essence, ritual message and significance for moral rebirth among young girls.
He said the UNESCO-recognised festival, which enjoys international recognition, is yet to fully enjoy the required joint support from the Federal and State governments.
“This is one festival that the government can explore to market the vast tourism potentials of the state.
“Tourism is a huge foreign exchange earner, but regrettably, it is not receiving the required boost or support from the Government.
“Successive administrations did not accord much attention to tourism and it takes vision to see that the tourism sector has great revenue prospects much more than oil.
“However, I am optimistic that given the focus of the Alhaji Ododo-led government, much would be done to promote our tourism potentials and properly place the state.
“As a community, we are eager to collaborate with the administration in that direction.
“We will be playing host to thousands of visitors from across the globe.
“We are already in touch with several international bodies that have indicated interest in Ogori for the festival.
“This year’s edition is with a lot of difference,” the ODU helmsman noted.
He gave the theme of this year’s Ovia Osese, as “The Making of Crown Jewels,” which, he noted, was conceived to capture the essence of the festival – raising worthy wives and mothers.
Engineer Omole further disclosed that the 2024 edition will witness a number of cultural troupes which have been invited for performances as a way of adding more colour to the festival and collaborating with others to promote camaraderie and the rich culture of the state.
He disclosed further that the week-long festival will feature sports, cooking competition, quiz and debates for schools, local cuisine, Eregba nite, musical show and carnivals, among others.
Omole assured that a few indigenes, who have contributed to the development of the community, would also be conferred with the community’s Merit Award.
Stonix News reports that the annual festival, which provides an opportunity for suitors to put an eye on possible future marital partners, has become a bait of attraction to sons and daughters of Ogori as well as visitors from far and near.
The festival, which witnessed a slight hitch in 2023 with the Onu Quarters hosting their grand finale at a separate arena albeit ignominiously, has always been a symbol of chastity, womanhood, love and unity among the people.
Historically, Ovia Osese has survived extinction among other cultural codes that abound among the Ogori people over the centuries just as it continues to serve as a moral compass for young Ogori girls home and abroad.
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