Kogi Community Celebrates Tradition as 103 Virgins Are Initiated Into Womanhood During Ovia Osese Festival
In a vibrant display of culture and tradition, the Ogori community in Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State initiated 103 virgins into womanhood during the annual Ovia Osese Festival held on Saturday, May 4, 2025.
The Ovia Osese Festival, deeply rooted in the customs of the Ogori people, is more than a rite of passage—it serves as a celebration of purity, discipline, and cultural identity. The festival honours young girls who have maintained chastity and are considered ready for marriage, symbolizing their transition from adolescence to womanhood.
Dr. Aiso Gabriel Osiwomequin, National President of the Ogori Descendants Union (ODU), described the festival as “a symbol of transition and hope,” emphasizing the strength of community and cultural continuity. “It reminds us that no matter where life takes us, the roots of Ogori run deep in our hearts. Our greatest strength lies in our togetherness,” he stated.
He praised the sons and daughters of Ogori—both at home and in the diaspora—for their contributions toward the community’s growth, citing development projects such as road construction, school building, hospital support, and youth mentorship.
Also speaking at the event, Comrade Micheal Oloruntoba, Chairman of the ODU Education and Culture Committee, noted the challenges and importance of raising morally upright daughters in a changing world. “I salute all the mothers here,” he said, “because it is not a mean task policing daughters, especially in this era, to live responsible and morally clean lives.”
The Ovia Osese Festival continues to serve as a rallying point for the Ogori people, reinforcing values of integrity, cultural pride, and social cohesion, while attracting attention across Nigeria for its unique stance on virtue and womanhood.
