A tourist centre, Ogidi in Ijumu local government area of Kogi State, signifies a town where mountains beckon. It is a place where nature dwells and where Nike Okundaye and others have made culture and art the main attraction. EDOZIE UDEZE who was at Ogidi recently writes.
My journey from Lagos to Ogidi via Kabba was but instructive and a bit lugubrious. The only motor park where one can board a public transport to Kabba in Lagos is at Ojota new garage. That in itself is absurd. My first impulse was to break the journey by going to Ibadan first. But on an instinct, I decided to brave it and to obey the directive given to me by my host, my former boss and editor, Mr. Tunde Ipinmisho. The mission to Ogidi, in Ijumu local government area of Kogi State, was cultural. I was going to attend and report their new yam festival otherwise known as the Ogidi Day Festival.
I’d not been to Ogidi before. So the journey somewhat became a curious moment for me. Yearly, reports about the festival painted and celebrated a scenario of beauty, razzmatazz and excitement. These were what I fancied and looked forward to. But incidentally the journey from Lagos became slightly hazardous and discouraging. Take off time from Ojota was 11am after I’d spent close to four hours for the vehicle to load. Reason given was that the price was high and most people had decided to stay put in Lagos. Secondly, while half way into the journey, the back tyre of the bus developed a big fault. Almost pulling out on the highway, the driver was practically forced to park after several warnings to do so. Then the issue of a good spare tyre for the long journey arose. After much quarrel and entreaties, the bad spare tyre ended up being our only consolation.
In the end, we got to Kabba late at night. The bus driver, stubborn and indolent, meandered his way through Ikare instead of going straight through Ekiti. When we got to Kabba it was late to trace my way to Ogidi. Having spent the night in one shabby, airless hotel, the only one that was available that Friday night, early the next money, I headed to Ogidi. In the meantime, there was no network both from my end and that of my host at Ogidi. All attempts to reach him and communicate with him became a utopian dream; a pipe dream so to say. Ipinmisho was worried, obviously, while I was in a dilemma myself.
When I got to his home early that Saturday morning, Ipinmisho was glad to receive me. The wonders of Ogidi, however, cannot be measured. They are numerous. Its natural beauty is indescribable. No doubt, it is a sleepy village. It is agrarian as well. It is surrounded by mountains, rock formations in different sizes and shapes and valleys. Too many mountains to count but alluring and beckoning to lovers of nature. The valleys serve as succour to the people. Houses are erected within the low lands. The valleys serve as farm land and natural protection to the people. The soil is also fertile and that is why yam is the king in the area.
The people jolly in their natural environment. They cherish it; they live on the land. The valleys provide security in and around the village while the mountain look so intimidating but familiar to the people. In all these, some of the mountains look frightening to a first time visitor. But it was understood the mountains are safe. All of them are climbable.
A journey to Ogidi from Kabba, a distance of about nine kilometers is mostly done on motor bike. The roads are in bad shape and terrible conditions. In fact at a stage you’d ask yourself where are you going?. But then you quickly pondered. Yes, I am going to Ogidi, to witness and partake in this euphoric and proverbial fest that has attracted so much interest and attention over the years. That alone became my consolation, an impulsive allure as the Okada galloped and meandered through pot-holes, ditches and bumps. As you then sighted the natural settings of the town, the glow on your face suddenly returned.
Some prominent indigenes of Ogidi have made it a duty to draw attention to their town. Every year therefore, they ensure that everyone, particularly those that matter in the town contribute to the festival. Since Ogidi has produced many rich and prominent citizens the festival is one plausible and pleasant way to ignite brotherhood, infuse development and breath fresh life into the environment. This also informs the reason the events leading to the festival proper include climbing of the mountains and sitting on the rocks.
The rock formations on the mountains are unique and attractive. Indeed, they bestride like artistic beauties, well sculpted and arranged. So in climbing them as part of the festival, visitors, indigenes, big and small, find ample moments to sit on the rocks. They are good for relaxation. On it all sorts of games are played by people in clusters of groups. Ayo game is also played, so also Ludo games and Chess. As these go on the surrounding vegetation, faunas and floras provide soothing breeze. The breeze wheezes endlessly, spilling nature into the skins of people.
Also some people this year, just like in the years past chose to prepare barbeques of meat and fish atop the mountains. The scenes thus created appear like a picnic. The likes of Chief Nike Okundaye, the world renowned adire artist were on hand to receive and host guests. Fortunately, the mountain behind her art centre in town was where most of the mountainous events took place. So, it was like nature meets and mingles with arts.
Okundaye’s Art Centre empties into the foot of the mountain. There is an outdoor art gallery. The gallery has more of sculptures and carvings that can survive the vagaries of weather. That too, is a tourist attraction. It is a fact rumoured in the town that Okundaye will soon solicit for it to be made a UNESCO-designated centre.
Father of the Day for the festival, Ayodele Afolabi Abudu is one of the guys who have made the town richer through his generous contributions over the years. A bubbling business man based in Lagos, Abudu had in the past attracted musicians to the festival to energise the youths. This year alone, he made sure the celebration held by giving out plenty of money for its successful hosting. In fact he was everywhere alongside his wife Omorinsola to ensure people got the desired attention, maximum feel as it were.
On his part, the President of Ogidi Development Union, Mr. Kayode Rapheal Eniolorunda was on hand to re-infuse life into the occasion. He was joyous. A retired Assistant controller-general of Immigration, his presence gave an added impetus to the gathering. Also Ipinmisho earlier in the morning drove round the town visiting families, felicitating with all and sundry. As the progenitor of the festival and its director, his random visits was seen as a source of encouragement to all.
