FUNKE OSAE-BROWN
As the Yelutide beckons, spending Christmas holiday in Ososo won’t be a bad idea at all. Located in Akoko-Edo local government area of Edo State, Ososo offers scenic beauty, cultural heritage and tradition of the Ososo people hence attending the 2017 edition of the Ososo carnival will be a real deal.
Speaking at the media announcement of the carnival, Moses Teo Ajayi, president, Ososo Carnival Initiative, said the carnival is a complete package of leisure events which include street dance, parade of costumes, arena based performances, beauty pageant, musical funfairs, bonfire, cultural display, art and fashion exhibitions, visual creativity and sporting activities.
“These events are reminiscent of the rich culture, vast tourism potentials, hospitality and peace-loving nature of the Ososo people who are inexplicably obsessed and passionate about their community and natural environmental endowments. There is no denying the fact that there is an intrinsic connection between the Ososo man and the elements that drive the carnival.,” he told the gathering.
Also at the event, Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Edo State, said the state government has been working with the Ososo Carnival Initiative to promote the event; as tourism and culture promotion is key for the development of the state’s economy.
“We have started the promotion very well,” he said. “The 2017 edition will be the best so far. Edo is hugely blessed with great cultures and we want to tap into this potential to grow Edo State’s economy.”
Austin Cobham, executive secretary, Cross River State Carnival Commission who represented Gabe Onah the Chairman, Cross River State Carnival Commission, explained the partnership between Edo State Government and Cross River State to offer technical advice to the Ososo Carnival Initiative is a re-enactment of the 120-year history between the Efik and the Benin people.
“We are not finding ourselves in a new terrain. We are just reinvigorating a relationship that has been lying fallow for many years. The strategic partnership between our commission and the Ososo Carnival Initiative will no doubt impact significantly on the growth and development of our states,” said Cobham.
With the theme is ‘’Ososo Carnival: A Catalyst For Sustainable Tourism Development’ the carnival takes place from Saturday December 23 to 30, 2017 in Ososo.
About The Author
