A socio-cultural organization, Ogori Descendants Union, ODU, Lokoja Branch has held it’s 2024 annual Idu (New Yam) festival.
The festival was attended by sons and daughters, friends and well wishers of Ogori land from across all walks of life.
In an address of welcome, the Chairman ODU Lokoja Branch, William Ogunmola said the cultural event which is an annual festival was used to ensure that the people of Ogori community keep their culture alive.
He said that the festival was also to unite the people as they come out in their large numbers to celebrate.
Mr Ogunmola used the occasion to announce that the celebration for this year was spiced by award of recognition for some deserving sons and daughters of Ogori land as well as some eminent individuals from Kogi State who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the community.
He congratulated the awardees for making the list for this year award saying this should spur them to continue to do more for not just Ogori land but for humanity.
He said the awardees were all recognized based on their contributions towards infrastructural and human capacity development
Those honored include,
1- Ubuoro Professor Olugbemiro Akerejola for empowering youths of Ogori land through admission into higher institutions and with his position as Ubuoro , a true custodian of charity begins at home.
2- Professor Emeritus, Olugbemiro Jegede, was honoured for placing Ogori in the World map through the establishment of educational institution in Ogori land and also in the area of employment.
3- The Vice Chancellor Federal University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwunmi, was awarded, Father of Ogori Students in Federal University Lokoja, as he has always ensured the seamless admission to Ogorians on merit into the institution.
4- RT. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, House of Representatives,was honoured as a political icon without borders, as he facilitated the tarring of road in Ogori stellite village Aiyeromi.
5- Former Head of Service, Deaconess Deborah Ogunmola – was honored for her motherly role In ensuring the welfare of Ogorians in the civil service as well as her supportive role both financially and otherwise to Ogori land.
6 – Hon. Bode Ogunmola Deputy Chief Whip and Chairman House Committee on Information, Kogi state House of Assembly, was honoured as an astute Grassroot Politician with immense galvanizing capacity to the advantage of Ogori-Magongo .
7 – ODU National Chairman, Gbemi Omole, was honoured with the award as an embodiment of fatherly love, who has continued to improve on the legacies of past National Chairmen in a global standard, a known galvanizer of different opinions and a true democrat.
8 – Comrade Ebenezer Adurodija, was honoured with the award of a tireless and selfless contributor to the progress of Ogori land and ODU activities, an uncommon leader which he displayed during his tenure as ODU Lokoja Branch chairman.
9 – Engr. Edward Lawani, immediate Past Chairman ODU Abuja Branch, was honoured with the award of a pragmatic leader with an unprecedented performance in yearly Ovia Osese activity contest.
In remark, the Vice Chancellor Federal University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwunmi appreciated the people of Ogori land for finding him and other awardees worthy.
Professor Akinwunmi said he was proud to identity with the people of Ogori land saying that he would continue to grant admission to Ogorians in the institution on merit.
Highlights of the festival were , the display of traditional Ogori music and dance, pounded yam eating competition and Ogori language speaking competition