ogidi-ijumu.com
Ogidi-Ijumu, also affectionately called Ogidi-Ela by its people, is a small Yoruba town about 56 miles North West of Lokoja in Kogi State, Nigeria. With a population of about 15,000 according to 2011 national census, Ogidi is known for its formations of igneous rock mountains, a traditional art industry, hospitality, valour and a deep tradition of self-reliance.
Ogidi-Ijumu is strategically located on the southwestern tip of the old Northern Nigeria, a three and a half hour drive from Abuja, Nigeria's capital and about 6 hours’ drive from Lagos
The language spoken in Ogidi is the Okun dialect of Yoruba. The men are traditionally farmers and hunters, and the women are renowned for arts, craft and trading.
Administratively, Ogidi-Ijumu was under the Northern Region with Kaduna as the capital. With the creation of 12 states, it came under Kwara State with Ilorin as the capital. Today, Ogidi-Ijumu is under Ijumu Local Government Area (hereinafter referred to as "the LGA") in Kogi State with Lokoja as the capital. Ogidi shares boundaries with Kabba in Kabba/Bunnu LGA, and Ayere, Iyara and Ogale in Ijumu LGA.
Ologidi of Ogidi and his two Oloris
Ogidi-Ijumu, like other communities in Yoruba land, is traditionally ruled by an Oba on a rotational basis. In Ogidi-Ijumu, there are two ruling houses, Okelare and Itaji. The current king, His Royal Highness Oba (Alhaji) Rabiu Oladimeji Sule, Eseyin Mogede II, is from the Okelare ruling house.
Number of Visitors since 14th October 2014.
Ogidi Day
Ogidi Day is celebrated annually as part of the New Yam Festival. The event takes place in June and attracts thousands of visitors around the world coming from all walks of life.
The 2018 event was celebrated on 16 June. Click here to read more about Nigeria's biggest culture event in June.
High Chief Raphael Oloka Oloda, the Baale of Ono Ogidi
Chief Mrs Nike Okundaye
A woman of substance, whose aim is the revival of our ancient weaving trade, is an international Artist, Designer and Teacher. To find out more about Nike and her work click here.
Late Chief Zacheus O Oloruntoba
(aka Marapaka)
An internationally recognised American based artist with interest in traditional African medicine and spritualism. Click here to read more about the work of Marapaka.
Late Chief Taiwo Olaniyi
(aka Twins Seven Seven)
A multi-talented visual artist, singer, dancer, composer and magician. He was named one of Unesco's Artists for Peace, a position that gave him new international visibility. Click here to read more about Twins Seven Seven.
Ogidi-ela Arts & Culture
High Chief Gabriel Mesaiyete
The Oono of Ogidi
High Chief Joseph Alaba Alamoh
The Olu Otun of Ogidi
High Chief Michael Akande
The Elebu of Ogidi
High Chief Francis Olayinka
The Oliha of Ohi-Ogidi
High Chief Jacob Mejabi
The Oloda of Ohi-Ogidi
High Chief Alphonsus Ehindero
The Oliha of Ono-Ogidi
High Chief Samuel A Sule
The Olokoro of Ogidi
Some High Chiefs
KOGI TO UPGRADE OLOGIDI STOOL by Mr Tunde Ipinmisho (FNGE)
The stool of the Ologidi of Ogidi in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State is to be upgraded to second class status.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Ohere announced this at the just concluded Ogidi Day Festival held in the town.
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In making its recommendation to the government on the issue, Ohere said his office considered the historical, cultural and strategic importance of Ogidi as well as its towering influence in the area.
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He said the reigning Ologidi, Oba Rabiu Oladimeji Sule had creditably discharged his responsibilities in maintaining peace in his domain adding that the traditional ruler had laid the foundation for the community’s accelerated development.
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Ohere said the recommendation was already before the state government for consideration and approval and expressed optimism that a positive outcome would follow the deliberations of the state executive council on the matter.
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In his address at the event, Governor Yahaya Bello said his administration would rehabilitate the Kabba-Ogidi-Ayere-Ondo State Boundary road and had made provision for it in this year’s budget.
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Bello said the provision of infrastructure was the fulcrum of his administration’s new direction agenda and that rehabilitating the road would wipe away the tears of the people and stimulate economic activities in the affected communities.
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The governor praised the people for the high standard of the Ogidi Day Festival and described the innovations he witnessed at the event as commendable.
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Bello, represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Mohammed Awwal said his administration was determined to promote culture and tourism into sustainable economic activities adding that it was for that reason that he created the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
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The ministry, he added would soon commence a survey that would enable it develop the appropriate profile for the cultures of the various communities in the state.
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In his address, the Director-General of the state Bureau for Information and Grassroots Sensitization, Alhaji Abdulkareem Abdulmalik praised the organizers of the event for staging a world class festival.
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He promised that his Bureau would assist in highlighting the achievements and the challenges of the town with a view to bringing them to the attention of the authorities.
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