The people of Ogidi in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State are known for their annual New Yam festival, but their monarch is also honoured on the day by his subjects.
The Ogidi New Yam festival of Ogidi in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State is not only about the produce but also in honour of their paramount ruler, the Ologidi of Ogidi by way of paying homage and renewing their allegiance to the monarch.
This year’s fiesta was also spectacular, with dramatic displays and display of dances bringing together sons and daughters of Ogidi from far and wide. In fact, prominent amongst the foreign personalities that graced this year’s edition is the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Marion Kappeyne.
At the palace of the Ologidi of Ogidi, Alhaji Rabiu Oladimeji Sule, local drummers and dancers were seen singing and dancing ,in solidarity with the chief celebrant of the day.
Also at the residence of the Yeye Oba of Ogidi and Curator of Nike Art Gallery, Chief (Mrs) Nike Okundaye, locals were also seen singing and dancing to the admiration of guests.
The arrival of the Ologidi and his colourful entourage to the venue, signalled the commencement of the event.
The Ologidi flanked by his two wives, the oloris, was ushered by masquerades in company of the Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, the Ohimege-Igu of Kotonkarfe, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Isah Koto, other chiefs, subjects and associates of the Ologidi.
The event commenced with the homage to the Ologidi by the various cultural troupes and groups as mark of honour and loyalty to the royal father.
Members of the various cultural troupes and groups, who were colourfully attired, sang and danced in a procession to the point where the Ologidi was seated on the podium and prostrated before him.
After the homage, the Ologidi in company of his wives, came down from his stool and moved round the cultural arena to acknowledge cheers from the guests.
There was indeed no dull moment for guests and cultural enthusiasts, as an array of troupes from Edo, Ondo, Niger and other home-based cultural groups, were present to make the day memorable with thrilling performances.
The Ologidi prayed for blessings, peace, progress and development of Ogidi land.
He called on his illustrious sons and daughters and friends of Ogidi to continue to make their contributions for the overall development of Ogidi.
The Director General of Ogidi Day and immediate past President of Ogidi Development Union (ODU), Tunde Ipinmisho (FNGE), expressed gratitude to God for the successes the cultural event has recorded right from its humble inception till date.
Ipinmisho described new yam as symbol of a new beginning and celebration of newness of life.
President of Ogidi Development Union, Eniolorunda Raphael thanked God for making this year’s edition a reality against all odds.
Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria urged the people of Ogidi to be proud of their culture and should continue to showcase it, saying she was happy to be part of the event.
Also speaking, the Ohimege-Igu of Kotonkarfe described the cultural festival as spectacular and uncommon pointing out that by world standards, there is nothing like it.
The royal father appealed to the state and local governments to support the cultural festival as a means of boosting the economy and development of the state through tourism.
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