In a powerful blend of tradition and progressive vision, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State delivered a passionate call for the protection and empowerment of girls and women at the 2025 Ovia Osese Festival, held in the historic town of Ogori.
Before a crowd of cultural custodians, dignitaries, and proud families, Governor Ododo praised the festival as more than just a celebration of maidenhood—it is, he said, “a symbol of dignity, discipline, and the sacred strength of womanhood.”
The Ovia Osese Festival, a cherished rite of passage for young girls transitioning into womanhood, honours those who have upheld values of purity and moral responsibility.
But Governor Ododo’s message reached far beyond tradition—it was a resounding affirmation of women as cornerstones of the state’s future.
Special Adviser on media to the Governor, Ismailia Isah, in a statement quoted him thus,
“As a government, we see our daughters not as followers, but as leaders,” he declared.
“Our role is to ensure they grow in safe spaces, with access to education, healthcare, and opportunity.”
The governor spotlighted his administration’s strides in promoting gender inclusion and female leadership, noting that Kogi State remains one of the most gender-representative in Nigeria’s governance landscape.
He reaffirmed investments in education, skill-building, and health as part of a long-term agenda to create a more inclusive and just society under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Governor Ododo also issued a heartfelt appeal to parents, traditional rulers, and community leaders: “Preserve the values. Teach the morals. Protect the girls.”
In a world where cultural erosion and harmful influences threaten identity, the Ovia Osese Festival, he said, reminds Kogi people of who they are—and what they must protect.
The governor urged support from cultural enthusiasts and development partners, emphasizing that festivals like Ovia Osese have the potential not just to preserve tradition but to build bridges for cultural diplomacy, tourism, and human development.
In Ogori, under the watchful eyes of elders and the bright hopes of the next generation, Governor Ododo made one truth clear: when you empower girls, you build nations.