joshuaOZA CARNIVAL Commences On December 27th 2024
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The 4th edition of this year’s Oza Carnival will commence as from 27th of December and end 30th of December 2024.
This was disclosed by Comrade Felix Osagiede, Chairman of the 2024 Oza Carnival Planning Committee at a world press conference held on Wednesday in Oza, Orhionmwon Local Government area, Edo State.
According to Osagiede, the Oza Carnival birthed in 2021 and this year’s edition is the 4th in the series, stating that the committee’s projection is to do more than what has been done.
“The annual event conceptualised to showcase, promote and preserve the rich cultural heritage of Ozarians in Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State which commenced in December 2021”
Adding that Oza sons and daughters both home and abroad put their heads together to ensure the carnival succeeds every year.
He thanked the carnival initiator and a beacon of development in Oza, Deacon Festus Osagie Osaigbovo and the Oza Development Foundation for sustaining the historical event that has placed Oza on the world map.
The initiator of the event, Deacon Festus Osagie Osaigbovo said the idea of Oza Carnival, popularly called “ALAHODALO CITY” is to develop Orhionmwon and Oza community in particular.
Osaigbovo stated further that the carnival is to engage the youths, rebuild them and also
remove them from getting involved in criminal activities.
” You can see since the carnival started the economy of our community and other neighbors around here have improved, People come and buy things, stay in hotels and spend their money here.” He stated.
Deacon Osaigbovo further stated that the event will commence on the 27th with prayers , followed by other events like bike, motor racing, cultural display, beauty contest and other events.
” You will all know that Oza is the Jamaica of Edo Music talent hunt .”he stated.
According to Osaigbovo, “cultural groups and culture enthusiasts, musical groups and artistes, members of motor bike riders associations and car racing drivers, youths from within and outside Edo/Delta States, representatives of farmers associations, fashion designers, football clubs as well as Ozarians in the diaspora who will be home for the festive season and the carnival.”
