At yam festival, Kogi State govt promises to upgrade Ologidi stool

The dexterity of Ogidi people to turn around their fortunes through the Ogidi Day Yam Festival may have yielded its desired objective as the stool of the Ologidi of Ogidi in Ijumu Local Council of Kogi State is to be upgraded to second-class status.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Ohere, announced this at the just concluded Ogidi Day Festival held in the town.

In making its recommendation to the state government, Ohere said his office considered the historical, cultural and strategic importance of Ogidi as well as its towering influence in the area. He said the reigning Ologidi, Oba Rabiu Oladimeji Sule, had creditably discharged his responsibilities in maintaining peace in his domain.

Ohere said the recommendation was already before the state government for consideration and approval even as he expressed optimism that a positive outcome would follow the deliberations of the state executive council on the matter.

In his address, Governor Yahaya Bello said his administration would rehabilitate the Kabba-Ogidi-Ayere-Ondo boundary road and had made provision for it in this year’s budget. He praised the people for the high standard of the festival and described the innovations he witnessed as commendable.

Bello, who was represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Mohammed Awwal, said his administration was determined to promote culture and tourism into sustainable economic activities adding that it was for that reason he created the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.