Ogugu the ancestral home of the Igala nation.

Ogugu the Pride of Igala Land
If you are conversant with Kogi State in Nigeria, you will always hear about two major cities that are known by travelers who pass the State in course of reaching out to other states like Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger State and even Abuja if you are traveling from south east axis.

The major cities that is household in Kofi state are Lokoja and Igala, Lokoja been the State capital, Igala is a traditional home of kogi people.

In Igala land there is a community called Ogugu, Igala speaking people is in Olamaboro Local Government Area of the State. Ogugu people are rich in culture but there is a particular culture they have which other parts of Igala has misunderstood which is called *Ibegwu*(Ancestors).
They believe that their Ancestors watches over their progeny to stop them from doing evil. An example is No Ogugu man will be a party to premeditated murder. The moment he joins he will be arrested by Ibegwu by strucking him with some mysterious ailment, and there will be no cure until he publicly confesses and performs certain rituals for his cleansing.

Another rule from the ancestor is that no married woman should have a sexual affair with another man other than her husband, if she does she suffers the same consequences above.(even though such rule is not for married men as they flirt). A wife is expected to be submissive to her husband at all times and should not do anything with the consent of her husband. They are predominantly farmers.

It was a prominent warrior *”the Mythical Omeppa, Inenyi Ogugu”* who carved out Ogugu.
He also set up a garrison at Opi with other warlords who also contributed to the build up of Igala before the colonial take over of Igbo States. But no other individual in the 18th Century played a major role in the development of Igala land other than Onoja Oboni a slave trader and Legendary Igala warrior.

This was why his personality (Onoja) has been shrouded the mythical imagery over the time now.

He was the son of Eri, the grandson of Aganapoje and also a descendant of one of the Idaho royal families; the priestly sub-clan of Obajeadaka in Okete-achia-attah.
The key areas of his legendary are: he was a master strategist, slave raider and trader, conqueror, coloniser and Imperialist, he is diplomatic, expansionist traits and the acculturation of his conquered territories.

After all these achievements he was able to build himself a mighty walled city in Ogurugu.
He was a respected man till date and his descendants are also respected and he is one man Igala nation will never forget in their history.

Recently University of Nigeria Nsukka confirmed the archaeological findings of the remnant of the ruins of his fort on the ground.
Do your best today for your community and be remembered tomorrow.