PRESS RELEASE: RE-BRANDING OGUN-ONIRE FESTIVAL. By Chief Femi Ajayi
Follow colleagues and gentlemen of the press, you are all welcome to this Press Conference which is intended to announce the forthcoming of the re-branded Ogun-Onire Carnival holding between 31st July – 3rd August, 2019, at Ire-Ekiti, the home of Ogun.
The Objective of this year’s celebration is to re-establish strong bond between Ire people with their ancestors Ogun-Onire, project Ogun as a respected Hero known for his accountability, honesty, fairness and justice We also want to promote tourism from national and global adherents. In addition, we intend to generate local development, trade and commerce in the community. The preservation of culture and tradition is our ultimate goal.
The major reforms being introduced during this year’s celebrations are the use of palm fronds (Mariwo) instead of canes. It will also feature sanitation exercise, lecture titled “RELIGION AND CULTURE, THE RELEVANCE IN HUMAN EXISTENCE” and a book launch title “OGUN–ONIRE – AN ENIGMA.” Apart from creating a standard logo for Ogun-Onire, we have also formulated an appropriate acronym for OGUN that is “O=OUR, G=GENERAL, U=UNIVERSAL N=NATIONALIST”, to project his personality or corporate image.
Furthermore, we shall also market Ogun delicacies to our visitors, sons and daughters, such as palm wine, roasted yam, dog meat, fried snails, beans cakes and pounded yam with “rorowo” vegetables.
A popular musician will perform on the eve of the main day while the Grand finale will witness groups parade and dancing to the Oba’s Palace between 9am – 2pm. before the appearance and journey of Ogun Effigies to UGBO UMERU” the proposed GROVE.
UMERU is a special place of tropical forest, which had been preserved for ages by its custodians where some important shrines are kept in honour of family heroes and important progenitors and for preservation of noble culture and tradition.
Thanks you for honouring our invitation.
Chief Femi Ajayi, Fellow APOCON FNIPR
Chairman
