A sociocultural group, Ogori Descendant Union (ODU) has appealed to Kogi state government to help the union in building tourism around Ovia-Osese to boost the cultural festival.
The President of the Union Dr. Gabriel Aiso made the appeal on Friday when he visited the Managing Director of the Graphic Newspaper in Lokoja ahead of the 2025 Ovia – Osese festival expected to start on the 26th April to 3rd May, 2025.
Dr. Aiso who described the festival as a flagship identity of Ogori people, stated that the tourist sites abound in the community when developed has the capacity to benefit the people both economically.
“Ovia-Osese which is the only festival in the state that is registered nationally and recognized by UNESCO. We have many historical sites that when develop it will attract huge revenue to the state through tourism.
“The spot where the Ogorians won the war between them and Jambadi a Nupe warrior is still there, we have spring water that does not dry even during dry season, we have palm trees with three heads among others that we want our governor Alhaji Usman Ododo to help us develop so that it can benefit the Ogori people, Kogi central and the entire state” he stated.
Speaking further, the national president said Ovia-Osese is as old as Ogori, noting that the festival is annually organized for the initiation of young girls or maidens known as Ivia into womanhood.
He added that the festival symbolizes chastity, virginity, purity in conformity with the laws and social norms of the Ogori people.
“Ovia-Osese is ancient festival. It is like a school where young girls are taught to be responsible to their husbands and the society. There is no fetish activities attached to the festival. It is purely cultural” he stated.
In his remark, the Managing Director , Graphic Newspaper Mr Yusuf Jimoh Itopa advised the national president to synergize with the media to enable him succeed in the task ahead of him.
Itopa assured that the Graphic Newspaper will support the festival by ensuring that all the activities for the 2025 festival are covered maximally to showcase the cultural heritage to the entire world.