Ozoro Festival Saga: Odior Debunks Publication Described It As Misleading, Not Festival Of Rape
By Ogbagah Matthias
OZORO – The member representing Isoko North local government area in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Bernard Odior has condemned in its entirety the malicious publication on “Ozoro Fertility Festival” as a festival of rape.
Odior condemned the series of publications about the festival ceremony that described it as “Festival of rape” before the right-thinking members of society.
According to him, the festival is rooted in cultural beliefs associated with fertility and community heritage, and stressed that security agencies had investigated recent disturbances and found no evidence of wrongdoing or festival of rape.
While condemning the publications, he said, the festival is meant for women that are looking for the fruit of the womb but was hijacked by hoodlums who invaded the venue of the ceremony and assaulted women and young girls.
“The festival is meant for women that are looking for the fruits of the womb, during the period of the festivity, women who are looking for the fruit of the womb will pack sand to rub their wombs, hug women that has gave birth to children so they too can bear children.
“I strongly condemned the publications in some national dailies and online bloggers that described the festival as a festival of rape before the international world and right-thinking members of society.
“Efforts are ongoing to regulate cultural festivals across Delta State to prevent abuse of festivities by miscreants and protect the image of the communities involved”.
Odior made the clarifications at Ozoro on Monday 20, 2026 during a media parley with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ughelli Correspondents Chapel.
