All roads lead to Oza Abiokunla Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State from Friday, December 27th, to Monday, 30th December 2024 when the community will be hosting the 4th edition of the Oza Carnival.
The carnival has the endorsement of the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo and the Oba of Benin, who are expected to grace the occasion.
According to Comrade Felix Osagiede, Chairman of the 2024 Oza Carnival Planning Committee, the program was “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.”
He added 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(ODF) for sustaining the historical event that has placed Oza on the world map.
Deacon Osaigbovo said the idea of Oza Carnival, popularly called “ALAHODALO CITY” is to develop Orhionmwon and Oza Community in particular. He 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 our neighbors around here have improved. People come and buy things, stay in hotels and spend their money here,” 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 will be home for the festive season and the carnival.”
Deacon Osaigbovo assured that the security architecture of the community has been upgraded to take care of unwarranted security situations that may hinder the annual event with security personnels from the different sectors on ground to counter any untoward situation.
