THE ECONOMIC POTENTIALS OF OVIA OSESE FESTIVAL

NEWS COMMENTARY

DATE OF B/CAST: 18/04/2026

TIME OF B/CAST: 0645, 1715, 2015HRS

TOPIC: THE ECONOMIC POTENTIALS OF OVIA OSESE FESTIVAL

WRITER: CAROLINE EROWOFIUNA.

INTRODUCTION

As the people of Ogori in Ogorimagongo Local Government Area celebrates the grand finale of the Ovia Osese festival today, Caroline Erowofiuna writes on the Economic Potentials of the festival.

Ovia Osese Festival in Ogori is an annual event organised by the Ogori people in Ogorimagongo Local Government Area.

The festival primarily is for the initiation of maidens of fifteen years and above into womanhood.

Ovia Osese celebrates purity and virginity of young girls and serves as rite of passage. It is a defining tradition of the people of Ogori.

The festival aims to instill values such as self-control,self-esteem and ethical conduct in the young girls, preparing them to become future leaders and caregivers.

Apart from being a celebration of chastity it is also the season when proud parents present their well bred daughters to the outside world.

Thus, the theme for this year, Living the Legacy: a Rich Celebration of Tradition and Identity is apt, being that Tradition as a system of beliefs or behaviors passed down within a group of people or society with origins in the past can reshape the society.

While it is reportedly assumed that traditions have an ancient history, many traditions have been invented on purpose, whether it be political or cultural, over short periods of time.

Identity on the other hand gives an individual sense of self. It is a set of traits that distinguishes an individual from other people.

It is therefore sacrosanct that Tradition serves as a bridge between generations and connecting people to each other. It gives a sense of belonging, while morals and values keep us rooted in ancestry.

Festivals and rituals exist for a reason, and that reason is to connect people to their roots and embrace them.

That is why Whenever cultural festival is celebrated, it enhances the togetherness of the people.

For instance, People migrate to other countries in search of better opportunities, leaving their homeland behind. Ye they often feel a deep pull back to their roots — a proof to the lasting power of tradition and cultural identity.

The distinctive features of the Ovia Osese Festival is its strong emphasis on the celebration and empowerment of the girl child.

As part of activities lined up for this year’s celebration, nine tourist centres within Ogori communities have been identified for visiting guests to explore, each with unique historical stories about the community.

It is not worthy that Dr. Augustine Obaro Memorial Medical Outreach took place on Monday while a Praise Night was held on Sunday

Board Games, Road Show, Local Games, Senior Citizen Jogging, Quiz and Debates, Volleyball Finals, Marathon, Cooking Competition, Oko Language Competition, Entertainment Night, Ivia (Talk Show),Football Finals, Eregba Night,
Carnival, TITI OAKS Foundation Outreach and
Rare Rhesus Care Foundation Medical Outreach as well as Miss Ogori and
Gala Night were parts of activities held in the week long celebrations.

At the Grand Finale starting at ten o’clock this morning, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is expected to deliver a speech, with Goodwill messages, Found raising, Presentation of the ivia
Cultural displays and entertainment as well as
Thanksgiving Services at various Churches on Sunday to round off the event.

As the only recognised cultural festival by UNESCO in Kogi State, Ovia Osese can become a major revenue source and place Kogi State on the global tourism map if properly packaged and supported by both the local and state governments.

Kogi State government can take advantage of the economic potential of the festival to boost tourism and generate revenue for the state.

For instance, when MTN sponsored the festival sometime ago, an analysis conducted revealed that the revenue generated during the event was three times higher than what was recorded at the Argungu Fishing Festival.

It is no longer news that Cultural tourism benefits both travelers and local communities by enabling a deeper understanding of each other, supporting local economies, preserving traditions, and creating meaningful exchanges that enrich everyone involved.

That is why, Government at all levels should beam their search light on this only festival on the country’s National Calendar of Festivals in Kogi State to invest in it as the government stands to benefit more in terms of huge return on the long run.

A properly packaged Ovia Osese festival can be a real lifeline for the Ogori people; as visitors come to experience culture, they are likely going to spend money on locally owned guesthouses, guided tours, handmade crafts, and home-cooked meals. Which will in turn boosts small businesses and helps entire neighborhoods to thrive.

THAT COMMENTARY ON THE ECONOMIC POTENTIALS OF OVIA OSESE FESTIVAL WAS WRITTEN BY CAROLINE EROWOFIUNA of OUR NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND READ FROM OUR STUDIOS