By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
,,,, Governor Ododo to be Special Guest of Honour.
Prince Jordan Alaba Akpata.
National President, Magongo Development Association, MDA.
The serene town of Magongo in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State, north central Nigeria, is bubbling with excitement as preparations reach their peak for the much-anticipated 2025 Owiya Osese Festival. Organised by the Magongo Development Association (MDA).
This year’s celebration promises a spectacular display of tradition, culture, and unity.
According to the National President of the MDA, Prince Jordan Alaba Akpata, the 2025 edition is set to be the grandest yet, attracting guests from across Nigeria and beyond.
In an exclusive interview with The Reporters in Lokoja, he described the festival as a sacred rite of passage and a vibrant showcase of Magongo’s enduring rich cultural heritage.
“This year’s event will not only entertain but also educate and inspire pride in our roots.
“The Owiya Osese is a revered ceremony where young virgin girls, aged 16 and above, are formally initiated into womanhood,a cultural milestone that reinforces purity, discipline, and identity,”Prince Akpata said.
Our correspondent gathered that traditionally held in May, the festival continues to serve as a powerful cultural symbol and a unifying force for indigenes and friends of the Magongo community.
With each passing year, the celebration grows in scale and significance.
The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the annual festival,Mr. Biodun Fadipe, revealed that the grand finale would hold on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Magongo Civic Centre.
He listed an array of activities scheduled to precede the event, including traditional age-grade processions, feasting, mountaineering, sporting competitions, and the popular Ekpase Ofufuwa Eating Contest.
Fadipe added that high-profile dignitaries are expected to grace the occasion, underscoring its growing prestige.
The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, will serve as Special Guest of Honour, while his wife, the First Lady, Mrs. Sefinat Usman Ododo, will be the Mother of the Day.
Others billed to attend include Honourable Rosemary Ohiezu, Chairperson of Ogori/Magongo LGA, as Chief Host; Honourable Bode Ogunmola, Member representing Ogori-Magongo Constituency and Minority Whip of the Kogi State House of Assembly, as Guest of Honour; Professor Olowu Malachy as Chairman of the Occasion; and Mrs. Folukemi John as Chairperson of the Occasion, he said.
As drums begin to beat and the air fills with festive anticipation, all eyes turn to Magongo, where tradition meets celebration in a symphony of colours, culture, and community spirit.
