Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo and his wife, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, are among top dignitaries that will headline this year’s edition of foremost cultural event in the state, Ovia Osese.
The grand finale of this year’s edition of the Ovia Osese Cultural Festival/Ogori Week of Ogori community in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State holds on Saturday, 13 April, 2024.
Speaking to newsmen, the National President of Ogori Descendants’ Union (ODU), Engr. Gbemi Omole, revealed that it would be his last in office and therefore, expressed optimism that it is being packaged with a lot of flavour.
The event which is scheduled to commence at 10:00 am at the Ogori Civil Centre, according to Omole, would have the Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, as the Special Guest of Honour, while his wife, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, would be the Mother of the Day.
Alhaji Ilyasu Audu, the Chairman/CEO of Afrolyk Globe Ltd, Abuja, 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.
Ovia Osese, Omole noted, is the only festival in Kogi State that is listed on the country’s Calendar of Festival because of its salient message and significance for moral rebirth among youth girls.
He further noted that the festival enjoys international recognition but regretted that the community is yet to get the required support from Government, saying that, “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 Government. Successive administrations did not accord much attention to tourism and it takes vision to see that tourism sector has great revenue prospect 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 to be in Ogori for the festival. This year’s edition is with a lot of difference.”
The theme of this year’s Ovia Osese, Omole revealed is: “The Making of Crown Jewels”, which was conceived to capture the essence of the festival which is aimed at raising worthy wives and mothers.
At the event, the ODU President, disclosed that a number of cultural groups have been invited to stage performances as a way of adding colour to the festival and collaborating with others to promote the rich culture of the state.
He disclosed further that the festival which is a week-long activity would feature, sports, cooking competition, quiz and debates for schools, local cuisine, Eregba nite, musical show and carnival, amongst others.
Omole assured that this year’s edition would be breath-taking, adding that a few indigenes who have contributed to the development of the community would also be conferred with the community’s merit award.
Annually, the festival attracts sons and daughters of Ogori as well as visitors from all over the world to Ogori to behold damsels that are being graduated into womanhood.
The festival has an age-old history and every effort has been made to preserve it, especially as it serves as a moral compass to guide the behaviour of young Ogori girls.
