By Dada Ahmed, reporting from Magongo.
The 2025 edition of the Owiya Osese Festival in Magongo, Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State, north central Nigeria,scaled new heights,literally on its fifth day, as hundreds embarked on the historic Ogegenosi mountaineering adventure, transforming the sacred summit into a vibrant hub of culture, commerce, and community.
Organized by the Magongo Development Association (MDA), the weeklong celebration reached a crescendo on Friday with a colourful procession to the 1,500-foot-high Ogegenosi mountain, a landmark revered not only for its spiritual significance but also for its untapped tourism potential.
Leading the charge was the National President of the MDA, Prince Jordan Alaba Akpata, flanked by a delegation of community leaders and spirited indigenes. They were joined by an enthusiastic crowd of locals and visitors,young and old,who braved the steep terrain to revel in the scenic and symbolic heights of Magongo’s heritage.
Atop the mountain, the atmosphere was electric. Music filled the air, friendships flourished, and small businesses thrived in an impromptu mountaintop market offering refreshments and local wares. The event wasn’t just a climb; it was a celebration of identity, endurance, and enterprise.
For many, the highlight was the mountain itself. Godwin Remilekun Akpata, a native of Magongo, described the 2025 festival as exceptional, noting that this was the first time Ogegenosi was officially included in the festival itinerary.
“This mountain is not just a natural wonder. “It has a cave that can hold about 300 people and a spring that never dries up, even in the harshest dry season. It’s a cultural and ecological treasure,”he said.
Akpata urged the Kogi State Government to invest in the site’s development, highlighting its potential as a major tourist attraction that could draw international visitors and boost local economic growth.
As of 2 p.m., streams of curious visitors from across Nigeria continued to ascend the mountain, eager to witness its mystique firsthand.
The Owiya Osese Festival, which serves as a rite of passage and cultural affirmation for young women in Magongo, will culminate in a grand finale on May 17. The ceremony is expected to attract top dignitaries, including the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, who will serve as the Special Guest of Honour.With Ogegenosi now firmly etched into the festival’s itinerary, Magongo has not only reaffirmed its traditions,t has reimagined its future.
