Ososo community in Akoko-Edo Council of Edo State came alive recently, as it hosted the ninth edition of Ososo Cultural Carnival.
Held yearly to showcase the rich cultural heritage and tourism potential of the sleepy community, the 2019 edition, which has as its theme, Afekhafe (Home is home), featured events such as, street dance, arena-based performances, beauty pageant, mountaineering, musical concert, bonfire, arts and fashion exhibition, visual creativity, and sporting activities.
Since the first edition in 2011, the community has continued to witness a massive influx of visitors, including indigenes in the diaspora as well as from other parts of Nigeria during the yuletide season.AdvertisementAdAdvertisement
The 2019 edition, which lasted for five days (December 26 to 30), saw students of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, led by Mrs. Sophia J. Ejameh, of the Department of General Art and Industrial Design, putting up appearance in the newly introduced runway. This was added to encourage entrepreneurship, especially in the creative industries.
The carnival president, Mr. Moses Ajayi, told The Guardian that the 10th edition was going to be bigger and plans were already being finalised to make it so.
According to him, the culture feast is getting better by the day as a result of new ideas injected into it. “The aim is to see the carnival meets up with the international standards.”
The event, which attracted guests from across the country, also had Nollywood actress Princess Imezo Michael and Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje, member, Edo State House of Assembly, in attendance.
According to the lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo Constituency II, Mr. Emmanuel Agbaje, the yearly carnival has over the years created income for young people in the area and government’s input to the festival would boost tourism and income generation.
Located in the Somorika hills in the north of Edo State, Ososo has an average altitude of 1236 feet above sea level. It has a very temperate climate similar to that of Jos, Plateau State. The highest peak is a very large monolith often called the Oruku rock. The rocks and hills of varied sizes and shapes make the town to be a haven for tourists.
Source: guardianNG