Kogi international carnival: A history revisited

BY AISHA SALAUDEEN- AREMU

Two weeks ago, I traveled from my base in Ibadan to Okene, my hometown in Kogi State and was fortunate to be in the midst of a few patriotic Kogi elites who were rich in the history of our confluence state. By God’s design, we are all from different ethnic backgrounds in Kogi State and each of us spoke glowingly about the rich heritage of our land and our people. For the first time, it occurred to me that our Kogi State is well positioned to become a haven of opportunities for both indigenes and the entire people of Nigeria. But we all agreed before we alighted from the bus that stakeholders in the state have not been deliberate about marketing and repositioning the state.

As the saying goes; ‘great minds think alike’, because it’s obvious that the thought we shared on the journey is also bordering a lot of our people, home and in the diaspora. A few days ago, I saw in one of the Okene WhatsApp groups I belong to that a group of forward-looking men and women of Kogi State origin have concluded an arrangement to put together an international carnival to showcase the beauty and opportunities in Kogi State. What a coincidence! What a timely intervention! Since that moment, I have been thinking of how best to support the initiative.

With the theme ‘Come, Experience, Explore and Invest in the Confluence State’, the Kogi International Carnival aims to celebrate unity, promote tourism, and inspire local and international investments. At this point of our aspiration for a prosperous state, the theme is not only inviting but aspirational.

As I write this, my mind went back in nostalgia to my growing up days in Akure, Ondo State in the 90s when the mere mention of Mungo Park, River Niger and River Benue evoked strong feelings and my head would become swollen in the class with excitements that I was from Kogi State. In the then Ondo State and the neigbouring states, up till today, Kogi indigenes remain the economic enabler because of their farming activities. With a sustainable carnival such as the one being proposed to take place between December 1 and 7, there is no doubt that Kogi’s profile would blossom.

As a state, Kogi is rich in human and natural resources. Its birth in 1991 was a reunion of a people who had shared a common history and had co-existed as one polity for a period of over seven decades before being severed by the 1976 States Creation exercise. The creation was a dream fulfilled and one which sought to put the State on the threshold of rapid socio-economic transformation. But 33 years later, its proposed growth and development still remain a dream. The proposed carnival may be the opportunity being awaited to revisit history and chart a course of development and prosperity.

The area which today forms Kogi State was a colonial formation then known as Kabba Province which had suffered neglect since independence. It was, therefore, the quest for rapid socio-economic development of the area that informed the decision of the Babangida government in 1991 to create along with eight others, a State out of both Kwara and Benue bringing together families who had been separated by the 1976 states creation exercise into a happy reunion.

The state capital, Lokoja is an ancient historical town that once served as the colonial administrative headquarters of Nigeria.  Lokoja town is situated on the slope of a range of hills, Mount Patti. The town in its growth runs down the scope and expands into the Niger River valley. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Niger and Benue. The Kogi State Capital, fast turning into a modern city, is bounded on the North and East by the River Niger and on the West by the wooded heights of Mount Patti and South by Ajaokuta. It occupies an area of between twenty and thirty kilometers.
Besides, Lokoja is a very important place in the history of Nigeria. The National Museum in Lokoja houses so many important historical pictures in Nigeria’s history.

Lokoja now wears the necessary paraphernalia of a state capital: Government House, State Secretariat, Federal establishments, institutions of higher learning, stadia, industries, increased population and a number of other attributes of a state capital. In today’s Kogi State, we have various schools of high learning in almost all the major cities, including a Federal University that was established 14 years ago under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Like the Carnival Calabar, which has become a destination branding for Cross River State, Kogi International Carnival will soon become a key to unlocking opportunities in the confluence state. Luckily, Kogi’s geographical location readily makes the carnival accessible because of its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory.

Beyond the fact that it would give us the opportunity to tell the world what we have, this maiden carnival will bring together millions of exciting fun-loving people of Kogi State, their friends and visitors alike.

In a news story issued by the organisers, which is already generating conversation across all social media platforms, the carnival is designed to surpass the existing ones in the country because it will not be about dancing and singing alone but a platform to showcase our resources and opportunities within. The carnival is set to break all records achieved in many states and this is why the organisers are insisting that we must all visit Kogi State in the first week of December. Strategically, the carnival is scheduled to run from December 1 to December 7, 2024, across four cities, namely Lokoja, Kabba, Okene, and Ayingba. The carnival seeks to promote unity, celebrate Kogi’s rich cultural heritage, and drive economic growth through tourism and entertainment.

The event which was designed to be citizen-driven has continued to receive the endorsement of prominent indigenes of Kogi State in various sectors, including traditional rulers. In particular, a foremost Marketing Communication practitioner, who doubles as President of the Nigeria chapter of International Advertising Association (IAA), Mr. Steve Babaeko is said to have indicated his intention to support the carnival in any way possible.

Speaking about the chain of carnival activities,  Prince Philip Orebiyi, leader of the Kogi International Carnival (KIC) 2024 project team, described the carnival as “more than just a celebration.” He emphasized its role in fostering cultural exchange, community bonding, and global recognition of Kogi State’s unique offerings.

“The Kogi International Carnival is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of our shared humanity, and showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage to the world. Visitors will have a unique experience that highlights our state’s beauty, talent, and investment potential. We invite everyone to join us for this unforgettable experience,” Orebiyi said.

According to Orebiyi, KIC will feature spectacular performances by local and international artists; cultural exhibitions and traditional dance displays; food festivals featuring local and international cuisine; fashion shows showcasing Nigerian and African designs; workshops and masterclasses on art, music, and entrepreneurship.

Also speaking about the proposed carnival, Babaeko, who is the CEO/ Chief Creative Director of the nation’s leading advertising firm, X3M Ideas, described Kogi State as a unique state that has a lot of historical relevance to Nigeria. To this end, he called on Kogites, home and abroad to rally around the team championing the course to organise the one-week carnival and use it to position Kogi state as an ideal destination for tourism, cultural heritage and gateway to Federal Capital territory.

According to Babaeko, “Historically, Kogi is a unique state, with bountiful potentials and geographical relevance. Kogi has a lot of potential, including a good geographical location, abundant natural resources, and a growing population that needs to be explored. From Lokoja to Kabba, Okene to Ida, down to Obajana, there are so many hidden treasures that need to be tapped. With this international carnival, the government and stakeholders would be able to attract attention to Kogi State as a home of opportunities.

Taking Agriculture for instance, from time immemorial, the people of Kogi State have been the food basket of the nation, farming in Kogi, Ekiti, Ondo and Osun State. More importantly, the proximity of Kogi State to Abuja allows our farmers to move their outputs to the FCT with ease.

“With a state like Kogi State, the Federal Government need not look far for willing partners at a time when Nigeria is facing significant food security challenges, with nearly 25 million people at risk of hunger due to climate change, inflation, and rising food prices,” Babaeko stated.

I can’t agree less with the position of these gentlemen because I know what we have in Kogi State. Besides, one is excited that also expected at the showpiece are renowned musicians and performers; International dignitaries and cultural ambassadors; local and national government officials as well as economic Investors and entrepreneurs.

For our teeming youths, the event will not only be a morale booster, it will open their eyes to modern trends in fashion, entertainment, and food. For Kogites, the time to blossom is indeed now!

Salaudeen Aremu, a business woman writes from Ibadan