9 Year Old Folasewa Wins Motorcycle at 2024 Ogidi Day Festival

A nine year-old girl, Folasewa Evelyn Owonibi on Saturday won a motorcycle at this year’s edition of Ogidi Day Festival held at Ogidi, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Folasewa took thousands of spectators by surprise after the wife of the Local Government Caretaker Chairman, Hajia Hafsat Yomi Haruna picked her ticket in the Raffle Draw competition organized as part of activities marking the Day.

Ijumu LG Caretaker Chairman Canvasses Support For Gov. Ododo at 2024 Ogidi Day

The raffle draw is the climax of the Festival while another person went home with a motorcycle, others won a sewing machine, bags of Rice, clothing, vegetable oil just to mention a few.

Ogidi Day Festival is Nigeria’s biggest Culture Event in June, attracting local and international tourists from all walks of life.

The event is also a symbol of unity, bringing Okun sons and daughters together to witness the rich cultural heritage of the Community.

The Director General of Ogidi Day Festival, Mr. Tunde Ipinmisho, a veteran Journalist, said though the current economic challenges affected the Planning for the event but it came out to become the most colourful occasion since its Inception years ago.

“Ogidi Day Festival is a symbol of unity as you can see people from all walks of life coming to see our rich cultural heritage. I just want to say that Ogidi Day is getting better and better and we thank almighty God,” he noted.

In a message to the occasion, the National President of Ogidi Development Union, Mr. Kayode Eniolorunda said apart from promotion of the cultural heritage of the Community, the Day was set aside pull resources together for community development.

He states that “this year’s event is especially unique in that, by providential coincidence, this year’s cultural festival falls on June 15, which is the traditional new yam celebration day in Ogidi.

“With the array of guests, local and international, gathered here today, what began as a dream to position our community on the global stage, as a cultural tourism destination is gradually becoming a reality.

“Putting this event together year after year has always been a herculean task, but for the dogged commitment of our indefatigable Director-General, Mr Tunde Ipinmisho and his team in the Central Planning Committee, we salute you sir.

“It is our hope that in a short while from now, the developmental gains envisioned from this annual event will begin to materialise. In fact, I have no doubts that it will begin right now and here, given the calibre of dignitaries present today.

He used the occasion to applaud the member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Chief James Abiodun Faleke for facilitating the ongoing Kabba-Ogidi-Ayere road.

“Let me also publicly express our collective gratitude to a great son of Ijumu and a friend of Ogidi, Chief Abiodun Faleke through whose relentless intervention the Federal Government is undertaking the rehabilitation of the Kabba-Ogidi-Ayere-Ondo State boundary road.

“The road is 60 percent completed.  It is our prayer that the Lord will continue to bless him with great substance, good health and a long and healthy life.

The event also featured the presentation of New Yam to the Ologidi of Ogidi, HRM. Oba Rabiu Oladimeji Sule by the Yeye Oba of Ogidi, Her Royal Highness, Chief Nike Okundaye.

The Ologidi rendered prayers for fruitfulness in the Community, peace and progress  of Ijumu and Kogi State at large.

There were also cultural displays by Ondo and Edo States Cultural Troupes, Yagba East Local Government Cultural Troupe, Olaga Dancers among others.