Summit Post 
Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Agabaidu (Dr) Mathew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche has commended the indigenous Igala people of the United States of America over the recent celebration of Ocho Festival in the US.
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Ocho festival which is one of the core Igala Cultural festivals was celebrated on May 28 and 29, 2022 in Charleston, South Carolina, where the headquarters of Igala kingdom USA is located.
The commendation was made on behalf of the ancient Igala King, the Attah Igala by the Attah Igala General Ambassador, His Excellency Amb Ayegba Abdullahi Adojoh, who represented him at the occasion which was attended by him virtually.
Delivering the message of Attah Igala, Amb Ayegba congratulated the Onu Igala kingdom USA, Chief Edibo Idih Abba Nizar and all the Igala traditional rulers; Iye Emah Ahliellah – Iye Igala kingdom USA, Princess Ufedojo Agula Johnson- Omaonyete Igala kingdom USA, Abeneche Unyo Ojochamachala – Abeneche Onu Igala Florida, Queen Patricia Linen Cox – The Queen of the Brown’s Ferry Gullah Territory Georgetown, and others for their efforts in making this year’s Ocho festival which is the second edition in the USA very successful.
He equally thanked the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Charleston City, USA, for their support for the 2022 Ocho festival and appealed for continuous supports of the City to the Igala Kingdom of USA.
While appreciating the message the palace received from the Mayor of Charleston regarding the African-American museum sometimes ago, the Ambassador also intimated the Mayor that the Royal Archives and Museum of Igala kingdom in Attah Igala palace will be ready to partner with the African-American museum in the areas of exchange of ideas, cultures and other areas of collaborations.
Ocho festival of Igala people originated from ancient Nile Valley-Egypt, where it was called Solar festival, and it marks the beginning of farming season. It began around 3500 BC in ancient Egypt, and around 800 BC in the present day Nigeria when Igala people migrated from Nile valley area to Attagara community in Gwoza LGA of Borno State, then under Kanem empire.
This year’s Ocho festival of USA had a lot of improvement in terms of participation, number of visitors, Media coverage, government’s support and lots more. There was a libation to the ancestors and God almighty, music and dance, food, lectures, historical and Cultural materials display including the portrait of Princess Inikpi, the Igala Princess who offered herself to be buried alive during Igala-Benin war of 1515-1516 for the victory of Igala kingdom.
Recall that the Igala-Benin was as mostly due to the capturing of Igala people across the River Niger on Benin side by Benin people and been sold to the Portuguese. The event was joined by indigenous people across 31 States of Nigeria and about 18 countries outside Nigeria who watched through Facebook live.
