The international rating of Opobo Kingdom as a major tourist destination during the yuletide season has assumed a fresh dimension, with the birthing of Opobo Heritage Festival, scheduled to hold from January 5-6, 2024 for the first time.
And to prove that it has come to stay, the Opobo Heritage Festival has been inserted as an annual programme in the cultural events calendar of Opobo Kingdom by the order of His Majesty, King (Dr.) Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Amanyanabo Of Opobo.
The Founder & Project Director of Opobo Heritage Festival, Prince (Amb.) Kalada Oko-Jaja gave the revelation in a statement, where he lauded King Dandeson Jaja’s fatherly role in sustaining the peace, unity, and tourism expansion of Opobo Kingdom, which he says have gone a long way in empowering and shaping a brighter future for the youths.
He disclosed that the revised copy of the festival’s framework was unveiled during a visit to the royal place in Opobo, stating that the monarch’s input was fully captured, before being validated by the first class traditional ruler.
Some team members present during the courtesy visit last Friday, October 6, 2023 include Prince Obiesia Douglas Jaja, Sandra Jaja, and Lucky Amadike, alongside the Advisory Council Chair of Opobo Heritage Festival, Alabo Godwin Bupo.
According to him, “the annual Opobo Heritage Festival is a 2-day fiesta, facilitating entertainment that connects the people, communities and tourists in the exciting festival that not only gives you a great time with families, friends and loved ones, but hold an integral part of your memory as well, whilst expanding the retail sector of Opobo.
“The positive impact of this festival is vast on Opobo youths; the economic value to Opobo Kingdom, sponsors of the heritage festival and partners is immense, with over 50 top food and beverage brands, fintech companies, real estate, oil and gas, network service providers, among others, already onboard.
“The festival is projected to attract over 30,000 people at the Heritage Village, alongside 100 expected mainstream vendors. The theme of the Opobo Heritage Festival 2024 is “Experience Opobo,” with the tagline “Explore, Enjoy and Engage.”
In his response, King Dandeson Jaja described the festival as a brilliant creative vision and a very good addition to Opobo Kingdom, adding that the festival’s approach is geared towards fostering togetherness among people, and driving sustainable progress.
The revered monarch stressed that it would create lots of jobs for the youths, increased opportunities for exchange programmes in tech, vocational skills, arts and crafts, through the unveiling of Opobo Talent Factory & Skill Hub as shared by Prince Kalada Oko-Jaja, and also, trigger direct merchandise dealership for the locals.
King Jaja gave his royal blessings to the Heritage Festival Team, together with Her Majesty Queen Prudence Douglas Jaja, and assured them of his unwavering support.
While thanking the monarch, Alabo Godwin Bupo, whose tripartite role as Advisory Council Chair, Opobo Heritage Festival; PRO of Alapu Council, and Alabo In-charge of Youth Affairs in Opobo Kingdom, praised the King for always embracing inimitable and first-rate ideas such as the Opobo Heritage Festival and commended the royal monarch’s extraordinary giant strides particularly on the sustainable impact on welfare and livelihoods of Opobo Youths.
As at the time of filing this report, the Alapu Council of the 67 War Canoe Houses of Opobo Kingdom, met on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at the directive of King Dandeson Jaja, where the Alapu Council were fully briefed, and their approval obtained.
