The Ata Igala, His Royal Majesty Agaba’idu Dr. Alaji Mathew Opaluwa Oguche Akpa II, has released the official logo and mascot for the 2026 ITALO Cultural Festival. The event runs December 30 and 31 in Anyigba, Kogi State.
The monarch sent Commodore Godwin Obaje, mni, to handle the unveiling. Obaje called ITALO — also known as UJEJU-OGWU — a key gathering for honoring Igala history, royal heritage, cultural identity, and a sense of unity.
He traced the festival back to an old practice. The Ata Igala would travel from Idah to Anyigba, hold court, accept royal homage, settle communal disputes, and meet with traditional rulers, title holders, and community representatives.
This next edition sets out to bring that tradition alive again. It aims to help people reconnect with their roots and put the Igala Kingdom’s heritage in front of audiences around the world.
The logo and mascot draw on specific cultural symbols. The royal crown, Onumu-Ere, stands for traditional authority and dignity. The Ejebuje-Ailo mask speaks to the spiritual weight of the Ata Igala institution. The elephant represents strength, majesty, and resilience.
Plenty is planned across the two days: a gala night, beauty pageant, merit awards, food fair, music, and entertainment. A lively cultural procession will feature traditional performances from all nine Igala-speaking local government areas.
The finale brings royal homage, the Ata Igala’s ceremonial entrance, and formal blessings.
The monarch is urging every son and daughter of the kingdom — those at home and those in the diaspora — to take part. He also wants corporate organizations, institutions, and friends of the kingdom to step up with sponsorship or any other support they can offer.
Running under the theme “Celebrating Our Heritage, Preserving Our Culture and Uniting Our People,” the festival gives the Igala a chance to tighten their cultural ties and protect their identity for the generations coming after them. The Ata Igala believes ITALO 2026 can grow into a major cultural event, one that carries the kingdom’s history, traditions, and values well beyond Nigeria’s borders.
