By Joy Salami
As preparations heighten for the 2025 edition of the Ovia-Osese Festival in Kogi State, the National President of the Ogori Descendant Union (ODU), Dr. Gabriel Aiso, has made a passionate case for the strategic development of Ogori’s historical and natural sites to reposition the community as a top cultural tourism destination in Nigeria.
Dr. Aiso made the call during a visit to the Managing Director of The Graphic Newspaper, Mr. Yusuf Itopa, in Lokoja, ahead of the week-long cultural celebration scheduled to hold from April 26 to May 3, 2025.
Highlighting the immense cultural and economic potential of Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area, Dr. Aiso said tourism around the Ovia-Osese Festival could become a major source of revenue for the state if given adequate government backing.
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We are sitting on an untapped gold mine. Ogori has rich historical landmarks and unique natural wonders that can attract tourists from across the world, especially when tied to the globally recognised Ovia-Osese Festival, he said.
He cited notable examples such as the legendary battlefield where Ogori warriors triumphed over Jambadi, a renowned Nupe warrior; a mysterious spring that never dries, even during harsh dry seasons; and palm trees bearing three heads– all waiting to be developed into tourist attractions.
He disclosed that Ovia-Osese is the only festival in Kogi State that is nationally registered and acknowledged by UNESCO, adding that, If the government partners with us to develop these sites, it will not only boost the local economy but also put Kogi on the global tourism map.
Beyond its economic prospects, the Ovia-Osese Festival, which is centered on the initiation of young girls into womanhood, continues to play a vital role in preserving the values and identity of the Ogori people.
Dr. Aiso emphasised that the festival promotes chastity, purity, and discipline ; qualities upheld in the cultural norms of the community.
Ovia-Osese is a moral compass for our young girls. It’s a cultural school where they learn responsibility, dignity, and how to build lasting values in marriage and society. There’s nothing fetish about it; it’s purely a celebration of culture and morality, he stressed.
In his response, the Managing Director of The Graphic Newspaper, Mr. Yusuf Itopa, commended Dr. Aiso’s vision and commitment to cultural preservation and tourism development. He noted that initiatives like the Ovia-Osese Festival were vital not only for community identity but also for shaping a more inclusive and economically viable cultural narrative for Kogi State.
He emphasised the role of the media in shaping public perception and policy attention, stating, “We in the media have a duty to amplify positive stories like this that connects our past with our future. Ovia-Osese is not just a festival; it is a story of dignity, culture, and hope that must be told to the world.”
Mr. Itopa encouraged stronger collaboration between ODU and the media to ensure the success of the 2025 festival and the sustainability of Ogori’s cultural heritage in the long run.
The media is a powerful tool in rebranding and projecting the cultural strength of communities like Ogori. The Graphic Newspaper is ready to offer full coverage of the 2025 festival from the maiden’s parade to the historical highlights and showcase the richness of your heritage to a global audience, he assured.
As the countdown to the festival begins, stakeholders are hopeful that government intervention and strategic partnerships will help unlock Ogori’s tourism potential and place it among Nigeria’s leading cultural destinations.
