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In a vibrant display of tradition and cultural pride, 103 girls from the Ogori community in Kogi State were formally initiated into womanhood during the annual Ovia Osese Festival, held on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The event took place in the Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area and drew community members and dignitaries from across the country and the diaspora.
The Ovia Osese Festival is a long-standing tradition among the Ogori people, celebrating the moral discipline, purity, and readiness of young girls as they prepare to enter adulthood and, eventually, marriage. The festival is not just a cultural spectacle—it is a deeply symbolic rite of passage that reinforces communal values and identity.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Aiso Gabriel Osiwomequin, National President of the Ogori Descendant Union (ODU), described the festival as more than just a cultural celebration.
“Ovia Osese is a symbol of transition, of hope, of community. It reminds us that no matter where life takes us, the roots of Ogori run deep in our hearts. Our greatest strength lies in our togetherness,” he said.
Dr. Osiwomequin expressed heartfelt appreciation to every individual contributing to the growth of Ogori—from those building infrastructure and supporting education to those preserving traditions and promoting peace.
“To our elders, our youth, our women, and all our partners—we thank you. Your dedication continues to make Ogori a proud and thriving community,” he added.
Also addressing the audience, Comrade Alao Micheal Oloruntoba, Chairman of the ODU Education and Culture Committee, praised the efforts of mothers in raising morally grounded daughters in a rapidly changing world.
“It’s no easy task raising daughters in today’s era to uphold these values. This celebration is also a tribute to the mothers who have guided their daughters with strength and commitment,” she said.
Notable families whose daughters were among those honored during the ceremony included the Akeredola and Jegede families. Among them were Isovie Akeredola, daughter of Major General Erema Akeredola; Omolola Blessing Osheidu, daughter of Professor Olugbemiro Akeredola; and Tosiron Jegede alongside five other daughters of Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, pioneer Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
The Ovia Osese Festival continues to serve as a beacon of cultural identity and community values in Ogori, blending heritage with celebration, and marking an important chapter in the lives of the young women honored.
