Otukpo’s sky blazed up in pink, red and black for four days.

Others have strobe-like flashes. The major event was held at St. Mary’s Primary School, where the nighttime skyline sparkled in a spectacular carnival of shade similar to the starry Christmas skies.

Even though it was Yuletide, the dazzling colors were neither the sparkle of fireworks set off by ecstatic bairns nor crackers set off by grownups ringing in the New Year.

The glitter came from the galaxy of stars and culturally diverse colors that strolled by.

Moments of glitz and excitement were promised. And that’s how things turned out. The experience will stick in the air for a very long time in the city of Otukpo, which is on the southern slope of the Benue Valley.

At that very moment, stars gleamed brightly, almost igniting the Red Dust City with their intensity.

Government delegation, corporate, diplomatic, and, of course, artistic dignitaries were all present during the 2022 Idoma International Carnival, themed Alo Gweye (Let’s Celebrate).

The carnival kicked off on December 23 in Otukpo, the traditional and economic headquarters of the Idoma nation, and lasted till Boxing Day, December 26.

It was the 10th edition of the annual fiesta.

Though the Idoma International Carnival 2022 edition is over, the memories live on, especially in the hearts of those who participated in the annual “ritual.”

The carnival, adjudged to be the greatest street festival in northern Nigeria, carried glamor, glamour, and razzmatazz on its shoulders.

Day 1: December 23 – Bikers’ parade, Praise and Worship/Award night.

The carnival kicked off officially on the morning of December 23 with the jeans carnival and bikers’ parade.

The show literally captivated locals and visitors in Otukpo.

The jean party over, drums were rolled out for celebration of people, whose public conduct and action helped to inspire hope for a better Idoma/Nigerian community with the award night.

Eminent Idoma sons and daughters such as Senator Abba Moro, Peter Adejoh, Angbo Pius, Uncle Wowo, Okam Forum and a host of others were presented with the Idoma Achievement Award plaques and medals.

The founder, Edwin Ochai was presented with a medal of honour for consistently preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Idoma people.

Dec 24 was Idoma Day. It featured
extravagant carnival displays, scintillating masquerade showpiece, which had the custodian of Idoma (Och’Idoma IV), Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, represented by Mr. Festus Ojei).

The duo charged the people of Idomaland to continue to preserve the culture and tradition of the Idoma nation by supporting the annual Idoma International Carnival.

Odogbo said the Idoma people are hospitable people even as he called for sharing of information.

“We are rich in cultural heritage and we need a forum like this to showcase what we are blessed with and that is what this carnival is all about,” Odogbo said.
Masquerades and cultural troupes from the 9 LGAs that formed Benue South Senatorial were fully displayed.

On the other hand, the Ogbureke Traditional Wrestling recalled the strength of Iduh, the father of the Idoma people.

Wisdom Sophi won the Okoho challenge while the Emma Eglekpe Troupe emerged winner of the cultural competition.

The biggest entertainment event in the country on Christmas Day, December 25, was staged by Idoma Carnival: music and comedy concert, where the country’s biggest artists and comedians thrilled the carnival crowd.

On ground to spice up this year’s carnival were entertainers and music ministers such as Portable of Zazuu fame, Duncan Mighty, Harrrsong, Chris Morgan, Teddy King, Chris Adeh and a host of other home-based entertainers.

December 26: Behold, a new queen is crowned.

The Face of Idoma beauty pageant is one of the big attractions at the Idoma International Carnival.

Since its inception in 2013, nine winners had walked away with the grand prize of a brand new car in addition to other benefits.

It remains the most keenly-contested activity in the carnival’s line-up every year and, of course, it is the most-anticipated of all the competitions that made up the carnival.

The 2022 Face of Idoma came with the usual glitz and glamour that attend one of the most colourful beauty pageants in the country.

A 24-year-old Ehi Elizabeth Jones won the Face of Idoma International crown.

For four consecutive days, Chief Ediwn Ochai, founder of the annual fiesta and his team held Otukpo to a standstill.

“Since its inception, the Idoma International Carnival has been a melting pot of culture, a virile medium that showcases various aspects of our customs and tradition such as music, dance, fashion, pageantry, cuisine and other acts and arts that are inimitably Idoma.

“To me, this is not just a carnival. It is beyond just a celebration or street party. Idoma International Carnival is a platform created to unit our people irrespective of status, religion or political affiliation. It is a platform of Idoma by Idoma and for Idoma.

“Many at first misconstrued the motive behind the Carnival, whereby it was misconstrued as political machinery, but as the years rolled by, it became clear that the agenda is one of cultural renaissance and economic empowerment,” Ochai said in his welcome address.

The four-day festival could only be summarized with the tagline, “fun ineffabilis.”

Like the Latino would say, “omnia bene desinit bene.”