Organisers unveil Ogbunike cave carnival 2016, as search for Ada Ogbunike begins

After months of working on the project, the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Ogbunike Cave Carnival (OCC) has finally unveiled plans for this year’s show.

First hosted in 2013 by 90 Degrees Entertainment, Ogbunike Cave Carnival (OCC), which is now staged in collaboration with LIBDEZ Solutions, is a three-day festival centered on Ogbunike Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the maiden edition in 2013, in Ogbunike town, Oyi LGA, Anambra State, the carnival has continued to grow and expand in terms of content and packaging.
  
Speaking on the line up activities for this year’s edition, the Project Manager of the carnival, Adaeze Uzodoh, CEO of LIBDEZ Solutions, stated that this year’s edition, which will run for three days (December 30, 31 and January1, 2017), would set the tone for a new era in the life of the carnival.

“We are delighted to announced that we are ready to stage this year’s carnival. Over the last few months, the Central Working Committee has been working underground on how to make this year’s outing a success. Today, I want to announce that we are ready to host the country,” she said.
  
Uzodoh, also explained that this year’s edition is set aside to celebrate the traditional ruler of Ogbunike Community, HRH, Igwe John Ositadimma Umenyiora (Ezedioramma 1 of Ogbunike) on his 75th birthday and 40 years on the throne of Ogbunike.

She also explained that the main celebration for this year’s carnival holds on December 26, with the Ofala Festival, where people (indigenes and tourists) will have opportunity to pay homage to one of the traditional ruler, one of the longest serving in the state. The carnival proper, will kick-off on December 30, with the five-aside football tournament, a one-day competition among eight teams, where the winning team will win a trophy and cash prize.

This will be followed by Sport Parade, which will see football fans, clad in their different club jerseys, parade with the winning team to the market square (Oyeolisa Market), with a traditional Ogene music leading the train.
  
According to Uzodoh, day two of the event, which holds on December 31, will feature the OgbunikeWalk4Life (Street Carnival), which commence by 7.30am, with the carnival float taking off from the Ogbunike town hall, and moved through the usual routes to the round palace of Igwe Ogbunike, where guests will pay homage to the king.

“From the palace, the train will move to the cave, where visitors and tourist will have the opportunity of exploring the tourist destination that has put Ogbunike community on the world map. The day will wrap with the Carnival Concert/New Year Countdown, which is slated to kick-off by 6pm, at the town hall, with different musicians and comedians on parade.

“The grand finale will be on New Year Day, where the Ada Ogbunike Beauty Pageant will take centre stage, where beautiful Ogbunike maidens will vie for the Ada Ogbunike crown. The day will be spiced with musical and comedy performances. We promise that this year will be the best,” Uzodoh, assured.
 
She, however, called on government agencies both at the federal and state level as well as corporate organizations to support the carnival, saying, “we want to use this opportunity to invite sponsors and supporters to join us this year; we are open to all forms of partnership.

Lending his voice, the Head Communications of the Ogbunike Cave Carnival, Casmir Obiegbolu Uzodoh, said application is now open for interested contestants willing to be part of this year’s Ada Ogbunike Beauty Pageant, stressing that all participants must be between the ages of 18 and 25 years old, and must be Ogbunike indigene and of good health and character.

“She must not be married, be mother or pregnant, and should be able to speak fluent English and Igbo. We are searching for young Ogbunike ladies across the globe (home and in diaspora) to be part of this great opportunity. This is an opportunity to become a cultural ambassador of Ogbunike and help promote our culture,” he said.

Interested participants should contact 08181873125, 08122142710, 07039400407 or whatsapp 07067579928 for the application form. You can also visit www.ogbunike.ng or ourfacebook.com/ogbunikecavecarnival for more details.