Ososo Carnival is a cultural event which is held annually to showcase the cultural heritage, traditions and tourism potentials of Ososo in Akoko-Edo local government area of Edo State, Nigeria. The Carnival is an exceptional display of the Ososo spirit and its ageless culture of welcome and warm hospitality. It is also an outlandish display of the Ososo culture of peace, deep sense of community and good neighborliness.
The first edition of the Carnival was held from December 27 – 30, 2011. The immersive experience of participants and visitors during the maiden edition of the carnival was the motivating factor that propelled organizers to ensure that the celebrative event is held annually.
The idea to float the leisure event was conceived by a group of young and enterprising citizens of Ososo immediately after Season 8 of the Gulder Ultimate Search [a Nigerian Reality Television Series created and sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc was hosted in Ososo in 2011.
Since the successful organization
of the maiden edition, the Carnival has become one of the most anticipated
major events that people in Ososo and neighbouring communities as well as those
in the Diaspora look forward to annually.
Ososo Carnival has the full
endorsement of the Edo State Government in view of the vast tourism potentials
of Ososo and the capacity of Ososo Carnival to significantly add value to the
development of tourism in Nigeria.
In the same vein, Ososo Carnival enjoys a robust relationship with the Cross River State Carnival Commission. The strategic partnership between the two bodies is designed to upgrade and turn Ososo Carnival into a major brand like the Calabar Carnival and ensure it assumes the status of one of the most visited tourist destinations in Africa.
VISION
To consistently draw attention to the huge tourism potentials of the community, create and deliver fun and memorable vacations at great value, in harmony with the beautiful weather and scenic beauty of the rocky hills and mountains.
MISSION
Our mission is to bring the world on vacation to see and appreciate our natural environmental endowment, and deliver exceptional experiences that strongly appeal to indigenes, neighbours and tourists all at an outstanding value.
OBJECTIVES:
1. To raise awareness and showcase the rich cultural heritage, traditions and vast tourism potentials of Ososo;
2. To cultivate, promote and foster unity amongst Ososo people and its neighbours in line with the clamour for global peace and good neighborliness;
3. To use the celebration of Culture as an instrument for development;
4. To organize carnivals, festivals, concerts, and other cultural events that reflect the beliefs, customs, and traditions of Ososo people;
5. To contribute to the socio-cultural and economic development of Ososo and its neighbours by organizing and promoting community self help projects in the areas of education, health and economic empowerment programmes; and
6. To encourage Ososo sons and daughters as well as foreign investors to develop infrastructure to cater for the increasing number of visitors and tourists during the carnival.
Arts and
Culture has remained a strong point of the state, being a home of culture. It
is believed that Edo State is second to none in terms of culture.
Anytime you’re visiting Ososo for whatever reasons, don’t forget to take along a camera or a phone with a good camera, else you’ll wish you did.