Ososo Carnival… Organisers unveil robust package for 2017

Ahead of this year’s Ososo Carnival billed to open on Saturday, December 23, at the Okunugbe Field, the Ososo Carnival Initiative, a new management team for the project, has unveiled plans for this year’s edition, a cultural event that showcases the cultural heritage, tradition and tourism potentials of Ososo community in Akoko-Edo local council of Edo State.

Under the theme, Ososo Carnival: A Catalyst For Sustainable Tourism Development, this year’s event will feature Bonfire Night, Beauty Pageant and Awards, Carnival procession, Musical Concert and a Formal Closing ceremony on Saturday, December 30.

Competitive bands include Orukhu Band, Ikuegbegbe Band, Casablanca Band, Kukuruku Band and Muegbesuegbe Band, while the non-competitive Bands are Governor’s Band led by governor Obaseki and Akoko-Edo Band led by the chairman of the local councils.

Speaking at a media briefing held recently in Lagos to herald the festival, the President, Ososo Carnival Initiative Moses Teo Ajayi observed that this would be the first time Ososo Carnival will be engaging the press in a strategic and coordinated manner to provide publicity and raise public awareness about the event.

“Permit me to seize this opportunity to inform and assure gentlemen of the press present here, that this engagement is not going to be a one off event. In the spirit of the new beginning, we shall henceforth consistently continue to engage with you. Without having to sign a memorandum of understanding, I have the authority of the Board of Trustees of Ososo Carnival Initiative to announce that, as long as the carnival exists, the press will continue to be one of our key strategic partners,” he said.

He noted that, as the team strives to make Ososo Carnival a brand, the role of the press would be very essential and indispensable, describing the Carnival as a complete package of leisure events, which includes 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. I therefore urge you to key into this partnership and join us in our bid to make Ososo Carnival one of the most attractive tourist activities in Nigeria. Having made these preliminary remarks permit me to focus on the subject of this press briefing,” he said.

Meanwhile, the entire concept of the carnival has been reviewed and redefined, with the vision to rejuvenate and elevate Ososo Carnival to a world-class event. Besides, the Carnival is no longer being perceived as a platform for mere entertainment; the business and economic angles are now being explored and harnessed for the benefit of Ososo community and Edo State at large.

In line with the new vision, the management of the Carnival has engaged a technical partner, Neo Media and Marketing Ltd, which has the huge responsibility of sourcing for funds, promoting, marketing and providing event management services for a period of five years. Similarly, it has began the process of networking and engaging with organisers of major carnivals around the world, including The Carnivals in Calabar (Nigeria), Rio de Jeneiro (Brazil), Venice (Italy), Cologne (Germany), Quebec (Canada), London (UK), New Orleans (USA) and Nice (France).

The strategic engagement, according to Ajayi, is designed to afford Ososo Carnival Initiative the opportunity to learn from the wealth of experience of these frontline carnivals.

“On this note, I wish to express on behalf of the Board of Trustees of Ososo Carnival Initiative our sincere thanks and deep gratitude to the Chairman, Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah for sending a technical/observer team to study and assist Ososo Carnival Initiative. The strategic session held with the Executive Secretary of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr. Austin Cobham and the Head of Marketing of the Commission, Mr. Ojoi Ekpeyong last night was quite educative and instructive.”