‘Celebration of economic potential’ — Ogun waterside seafood festival to hold Dec 15

The maiden edition of the Ogun waterside seafood festival is scheduled for December 15, 2022.

The event, according to a statement by the organisers, will take place at the “scenic waterfront of Iwopin town”.

The event, which is described as a celebration of Ogun state’s tourism and economic potential, is a “three-phase annual programme that will promote the economic development of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, showcase the locality and wider Ogun State to the world through seafood cuisines, culture, tourism, and entertainment”.

The event is the brain child of Abioye Phillips, and is organised by Princess Royal Frontiers, in partnership with the Ogun government and other partners.

In a statement issued on Monday, Phillips said the festival is part of efforts to make Ogun a choice destination for sustainable investments.

The first phase of the event is “co-locating the Seafood Festival 2022”, while the second phase will feature a boat regatta competition.

“Ogun Waterside remains the pristine jewel of Ogun State waiting to be discovered and the Ogun Waterside Seafood Festival 2022 offers opportunities for attendees from across Ogun State, Nigeria, and beyond to take part in the symbolic annual event marking the end of a fruitful year and ushering in a new one,” Phillips said.

“Ogun Waterside Seafood Festival 2022 will unlock the treasure of the Lagoon and the Atlantic waters in Ogun State.

“The Festival will further celebrate the indigenous people around the coastal areas and the seafood market towns like Iwopin, Oni, Imaku-Omi, Ode-Omi, Iba, Igbosere, Okun Elefon, Igele, Eba 1, Eba 2, Agerige, Igbo-Edu, Irokun, among others, who have through their profession depended on the natural resources provided by the water.

“During the festival, we would creatively leverage technology to showcase the best seafood cuisine to Africa and the world, from the biggest fish to crab, snail, prawns and rare breeds of all the ocean has to offer through featured exhibitions of creatively-made seafood delicacies.”

Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, is expected to declare the event open, while attendees will include traditional rulers and dignitaries.

Speaking on the activities of the Princess Royal Frontiers, Phillips said the non-governmental organisation (NGO) is focused on various areas of promoting development, including women empowerment.

“We have also been at the forefront of empowering the local women to meet international standards for seafood export business through training and other skills and capacity development initiatives,” she said.

Over 10,000 exhibitors, participants, and attendees are expected at the event.