By Amodu S. U.
The Attah Igala worldwide, and President, Kogi State Council of Chiefs, HRM Agabaidu (Dr) Mathew Alaji Opaluwa Ogwuche Akpa, has congratulated the indigenous Igala people of the United States of America on the successful celebration of Igala Ocho festival for year 2023.
Recall that the indigenous Igala people of USA (Igala kingdom USA) began the celebration of Ocho festival in 2021, and this is the third edition in a row.
Ocho is one of the core Igala festivals, and is celebrated by various Igala communities in Nigeria outside Kogi State, before farming, to pray to God for good harvest in the farming season.
The Attah Igala also used the event to pray for the Igala kingdom of USA, Brazil, Cuba as well as Igala sons and daughters worldwide. The revered monarch equally appreciated the traditional rulers of the indigenous Igala community in USA headed by Chief Edibo Idih Abba Nizare, the Onu Igala kingdom USA.
His Majesty used the opportunity to encouraged them to continue to sustain the various Igala cultures and traditions already being practiced or observed by them, including giving Igala names to their children.
His Majesty whose message was delivered by Amb Ayegba Abdullahi Adojoh, the Attah Igala’s General Ambassador of Igala worldwide, added that indigenous Igala people of USA who are blessed should remember Idah, their origin in terms of development as that is the home of all Igalas, irrespective of their present languages, locations and colour.
On his own part, the Attah Igala Ambassador and Head of the office of Diaspora Igala Affairs, Amb Ayegba, thanked the people of USA; both indigenous and residents, as well as indigenous Igala communities across 31 states of Nigeria, and appeal to them to keep working to preserve Igala culture for generations yet unborn.
The 2023 USA Ocho festival, which involves various speakers such as Omachi of Saluda North Carolina, Iye Emah; Iye Igala Kingdom USA, Omaonyete Ufedoojo Agula (Omaonyete Igala Kingdom USA), Abeneche Unyo Ojochamachala (Abeneche Onu Igala for Florida) and others.
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It also featured tours, libations, music, dance, food and drinks. It was celebrated in Charleston South Carolina, where Omah Igala Museum is located. Charleston is also the location where the headquarters of Igala kingdom USA is located.
