By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
(c) Facebook
Magongo, a historic community in Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State, is set to welcome over 10,000 participants for the 2025 Magongo Mountaineering Event, an annual celebration of heritage, adventure, and cultural pride of the people of that community.
Prince Jordan Akpata, President of the Magongo Development Association (MDA), shared details of the highly anticipated event in an interview with the correspondent of The Reporters in Lokoja on Monday .
He added the event would involve active participation of both residents and Magongo indigenes in the diaspora.
According to Akpata, the festival’s grand finale is slated for May 17, 2025, showcasing the community’s rich cultural traditions that date back over 500 years.
The event will also serve as a platform to celebrate Magongo’s history while also attracting tourists and fostering development,he further revealed.
The President said:”The programme would commence with a national conference on March 29, 2025, Saturday at Magongo Library Hall, bringing together stakeholders from home and abroad.
” The weeklong Owiya Osese festival, a highlight of the programme will culminate on May 17, 2025, with Professor Olowu Daudu Malachy of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, chairing the occasion.
According to history,the Owiya Osese Festival is an important cultural celebration in Magongo community which serves as a traditional rite of passage for young girls transitioning into womanhood observed for generations.
It has a core mandate of preparing young girls for responsible adulthood, marriage, and motherhood,and as a platform for instilling values such as discipline, respect, and good moral conduct.
“One of the unique features of the festival is the exhibition of Ekpase Ofufuwa, a traditional delicacy made from beans, which is deeply rooted in Magongo’s heritage.
“Research suggests that this nutritious dish may have medicinal properties, including potential benefits for diabetes management.
“In addition to cultural exhibitions, the festival will host a series of competitions, including football matches among the four wards of Magongo and traditional Ayo competition.
“Tourism will take center stage as visitors will embark on guided tours to the iconic Ogegenosi Mountain, home to an amazing cave and other historical artifacts. One of the mountain’s wonders is a perennial water source that never runs dry, a phenomenon that has fascinated locals for generations,”Prince Akpata said.
He said that recognizing the immense tourism potential of Magongo, the event organizers have extended an invitation to the Kogi State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.
According to him, the aim is to foster collaboration with the state government to further develop and promote Magongo’s attractions, drawing visitors from across Nigeria and beyond.
Prince Akpata expressed optimism about the government’s commitment to harnessing tourism for economic growth, emphasizing its role in generating revenue and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Kogi State.
With an exciting lineup of activities, the 2025 Magongo Mountaineering and Owiya Osese Events promise to be a vibrant showcase of tradition, adventure, and community spirit, reinforcing Magongo’s place on Nigeria’s cultural and tourism map.
