Ogori Prepares for 2026 Ovia Osese Festival, Highlights Cultural Identity, Girl-Child Empowerment

The people of Ogori in Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi state, have concluded arrangements to host the 2026 edition of the Ovia Osese Cultural Festival, an annual event that celebrates the rich cultural heritage, identity and traditions of the Ogori community.

The President of the Ogori Descendants Union (ODU), Dr. Gabriel Aiso, disclosed that the festival will take place from April 12 to April 18, 2026, with the grand finale scheduled for April 18.

Aiso said preparations are already underway to ensure a successful celebration, adding that the organisers are working towards attracting wide media coverage and the presence of dignitaries from across the country.

He explained that the theme for the 2026 edition is focused on portraying the true tradition and identity of the Ogori people, with emphasis on preserving the community’s cultural roots and heritage.

According to him, this year’s festival is expected to attract a larger turnout than previous editions, following the record attendance recorded in 2025.

“This year’s Ovia Osese Festival will be bigger than last year from the arrangements and planning we have put in place,” he said.

He noted that the festival is being organised in partnership with Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area, the Kogi State government and the federal government, adding that several dignitaries from different levels of government are expected to attend the event.

Speaking on pledges made during the previous edition of the festival, Aiso expressed satisfaction that individuals and organisations that made commitments had fulfilled their promises to the community.

He further revealed that the Ogori Culture Renaissance Committee has proposed a budget of ₦100 million for the 2026 festival.

According to him, 40 per cent of the amount will be spent on the festival activities, while the remaining 60 per cent will be channelled towards community development initiatives.

Aiso noted that one of the distinctive features of the Ovia Osese Festival is its strong emphasis on the celebration and empowerment of the girl child.

“If I were the President of Nigeria, I would spend a lot of time in Ogori studying how the people treat their girl child,” he said.

He explained that the Ogori culture places great importance on female education and empowerment, noting that there are currently more girls in school than boys in the community.

“We celebrate the girl child every year during Ovia Osese, ensuring that she is recognised and given her rightful place in society,” he added.

The ODU president also urged the Kogi State government to take advantage of the economic potential of the festival to boost tourism and generate revenue for the state.

He pointed out that the Ovia Osese Festival is recognised by UNESCO and remains the only UNESCO-recognised cultural festival in Kogi State.

According to him, when MTN sponsored the festival in the past, an analysis conducted revealed that the revenue generated during the event was three times higher than that recorded at the Argungu Fishing Festival.

“If the festival is properly packaged and supported by both the state and local governments, it can become a major revenue source and place Kogi State on the global tourism map,” he said.

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

One of the tourist sites is Saint Peter’s Primary School, an institution known for producing notable personalities, including the late Adeyinka Adebayo Abisoye.

Aiso commended members of the Ogori Culture Renaissance Committee for their commitment and dedication in organising the 2026 festival, expressing optimism that the event would further promote the culture and values of the Ogori people.

He added that the festival reflects the virtues of the Ogori woman, whom he described as respectful, hardworking and morally upright.

“We are ready to welcome our guests and showcase the beauty of our culture,” he said.