Reality TV star and BBNaija season 6 1st runner-up, Roseline Omokhoa Afije aka Liquorose, has thrown her weight behind the inaugural Otuo Heritage Week scheduled for December 26 and 30 in Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Speaking during a visit to the chairman of Otuo Heritage Week Planning Committee, Ayoola Erukpe Omoruanga at his country home recently, Liquorose, an indigene of Otuo, expressed her joy at the move to celebrate the town’s rich cultural heritage.
“I want to thank all the sons and daughters of Otuo who supported me two years ago in the Big Brother Naija season 6, making it possible for me to finish as the first runner-up in that contest. I am a proud Otuo daughter and will forever be one. This is the reason why I showcased to the world the beautiful things about our culture and food during my stay in the Big Brother House.
“I am in full support of the Otuo Heritage Week, which is meant to further open up our town to the rest of the world. Otuo’s sons and daughters are doing very well in all areas of human endeavours. Our culture and tradition deserve to be celebrated. I will continue to do all that is possible to project Otuo positively to the world,” Liquorose said.
Earlier, Omoruanga, a retired staff of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and former National President of Otuo Union, had welcomed home the community’s illustrious daughter, her first since participating in the Big Brother Naija reality show.
“Otuo Heritage Week concept is designed to celebrate our rich culture. It is not just about the tradition, we are also going to project to the world our staple foods, farm produce, translate Bible into Otuo language, produce documentary on Otuo, organize talent hunt, dances, praise night, masquerade display, beauty pageantry, present papers, and give awards to distinguished Otuo’s sons and daughters. It is an all-encompassing week of the best of Otuo culture,” he stressed.
Omoruanga, therefore, urged Liquorose to help project the community and the Heritage Week to the world. “We are expecting an influx of eminent sons and daughters of Otuo and their friends to come and experience the hospitality we are offering during this week of exposing our rich culture to the world,” he emphasized.
Delving into history, Omoruanga hinted that the clamour for the celebration of Otuo culture, tradition and religion dates back to 1999.
According to him, “It had remained a pipe dream but for the test run done in Lagos by Otuo Union Branch in 2001. The idea to eventually have a maiden edition this year should be a collective project of every Omolotuo. The committee set up to conceptualise and birth Otuo Heritage Week has completed all preliminary arrangements.
“As a full blooded Omolotuo, whom God has blessed, I believe you would want to be part of the epoch making event. If we don’t flaunt our rich heritage, who will do it for us? Globalization is the order of the day, so let’s promote our dear Otuo to the global stage and look forward to reaping from its tourist dividend.”