Ogori Descendants Union, Lokoja Branch Celebrates Idu New Yam Festival In Grandstyle
by Abubakar Suleman
The people of Ogori leaving in the state headquarters , Lokoja, under the auspices of Ogori Descendants Union, ODU, turned out en-masse to celebrate the 2024 Idu New Yam Festival.
The rich cultural festival which took place at the premises of Graphics Newspaper, Lokoja on Saturday, witnessed several prominent Indigenes of Ogori accross the country.
In an opening remarks by the Chairman ODU Lokoja Branch, William Ogunmola said the cultural event is an annual festival used to ensure that the people of Ogori community keep their culture heritage alive.
He further said that the festival is to celebrate ogorians and to unite the people as they come out in their large numbers to celebrate the yearly festival.
Mr Ogunmola used the occasion to announce that the celebration for this year was spiced by award of recognition for some deserving sons and daughters of Ogori land as well as some eminent individuals from Kogi State who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the community.
He congratulated the awardees for making the list for this year award saying that it would spur them to continue to do more for not just Ogori land but for humanity.
He said the awardees were all recognized based on their contributions towards infrastructural and human capacity development.
He reiterated the readiness of his people to keep showing total support to the present administration of Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Speaking at the event, the Uboro, Professor Olu Akerejola expressed happiness for the success of the festival which according to him would not have been accomplished without the selfless leadership of the present chairman, its executive members of ODU, Lokoja Chapter, and the teeming Youth, women and elders.
Among those honoured were Uboro Professor Olugbemiro Akerejola, Professor Emeritus Olugbemiro Jegede, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi, the newly appointed Permanent Secretary, Comrade Ebenezer Adurodija and other dignitaries.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Professor Akinwunmi said he was proud to identity with the people of Ogori land saying that he would continue to grant admission to Ogorians in the institution on merit.
The programme featured several events such as Pounded Yam competition, Ogori language competition and award ceremony for 9 prominent personalities who have excelled in their various fields or proffession.
