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By Correspondent in Abuja.
Kogi’s rich and diverse cultural heritage continues to gain national spotlight as the Magongo community in the state intensifies preparations for the 2026 edition of the Magongo Owiya Osese Festival.
In a move that underscores the community’s commitment to preserving its ancestral legacy, a high-powered delegation from the Magongo Development Association (MDA), the Magongo Owiya Osese Cultural Committee, in collaboration with the Clement Soje-Adesina Foundation, paid a strategic courtesy visit to the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Secretary of the Central Planning Committee, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpelemoh, described the visit as both symbolic and strategic.
According to him, the mission of the visit was threefold.
First, the delegation formally paid their respects to the Honourable Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, acknowledging her leadership in promoting Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries.
Second, they briefed the Minister on the ongoing cultural heritage initiatives of the Magongo people, placing special emphasis on the historic Magongo Owiya Osese Festival, a celebration deeply rooted in indigenous tradition and communal identity.
Third, the team outlined deliberate efforts being made to preserve, safeguard and promote the festival in alignment with national cultural policy and the Ministry’s mandate of strengthening Nigeria’s cultural ecosystem.
The delegation was led by the National President of the Magongo Development Association, Prince Jordan Akpata, who provided updates on the level of preparation for the 2026 festival.
He also sought guidance on areas of strategic alignment, institutional support and sustainable collaboration that would elevate the festival’s profile beyond the local stage.
In her response, the Minister warmly received the delegation and commended the Magongo community for its proactive approach to cultural preservation and grassroots development.
She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting Nigeria’s diverse cultural expressions as instruments of national unity, tourism expansion and global visibility.
The Minister assured the delegation of her Ministry’s openness to partnerships that strengthen indigenous festivals and create platforms for communities to showcase their heritage to wider audiences.
The meeting ended on a note of optimism, with both parties expressing confidence that through collaboration and shared vision, the Magongo Owiya Osese Festival will not only thrive locally but also gain broader national and international recognition.
For the people of Magongo, the journey to 2026 is more than planning a festival, it is a renewed pledge to protect their heritage and pass it on proudly to future generations.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
