By Sam Ekpe
The Age Grade system has been a very effective and administrative organ in Igboland. Every community among the Igbo people uses the Age Grade structure to raise funds for community development, organize and maintain peace and also ensure security in the community.
Every person takes pride in belonging to his or her age grade, attends meetings regularly and contributes in cash and kind to projects embarked on by his or her age grade. The Age Grade system is particularly popular and far reaching in Abiriba, Ohafia and adjoining communities in Abia State of Nigeria. In ensuring peaceful co-existence in the community, each age grade disciplines its members in cases of misconduct and even contributes substantially in health challenges of its members whose families are not buoyant enough to take up the responsibility. The different age grades also engage in healthy competition among each other, to establish development projects in the community. Hence a number of landmark projects constructed by Age Grades dot the environment in Igboland.
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In Enugwu-Ukwu, Nijkoka Local Government Area of Anambra State different age grades have made their impact with construction of building which have outlived their members and stand as everlasting memories in their communities. For instance, the Oganiru Age Grade in Uruekwo Village built a civic centre which serves as offices and meeting halls from which the age grade earns income.
The Senator I.G Abana Foundation, founded over 13 years ago for education enhancement and skills acquisition of indigenes of Enugwu-Ukwu and beyond has its Centre for the Elderly in the Oganiru Age Grade building.
However, an age grade in Uruekwo Village, Enugwu-Ukwu, Obinwanne Age Grade has made unprecedented impact in the annals of development both in the village and Enugwu-Ukwu town generally.
The modern 150-metre road of the Age Grade, constructed off the Enugwu-Ukwu-Nimo Road to the Village Square at Obu Ekwo is a sight to behold. The road, in compliance with the present Federal Government policy on using cement for road construction is fully constructed and paved with cement. The immediate impression one has on observing the high quality of the road is that the new road, along with big gutter for drainage control was constructed by a federal or state government agency. Many expressed great surprise and appreciation that only a few people in an age grade in a village would come together and spend their hard earned money to contribute such a costly project to the benefit of their community. A great feat indeed.
The Obinwanne Age Grade Uruekwo, Enugwu-Ukwu was found on 31st December, 2016 by indigenes of Uruekwo Enugwu-Ukwu, born between the years 1973 and 1976. This means that majority of the members are between 43 and 46 years of age. The pioneer executive members of the group were Dan Nwike Chairman, Chiduo Maduka, Vice Chairman and Onyeka Nebolisa Secretary. A few other executive committee members had led the Age Grade until 26th December, 2023, when the present executive committee members were elected. The men of destiny, with the midas touch whom have made history in Uruekwo Village by constructing this road are Ikechukwu Okekeogbu (Chairman), Ikechukwu Ekpe (Vice-Chairman), Onyeka Nebolisa (Secretary), Ogochukwu Egwele (Financial Secretary), Chukwunweike Ajoku (Treasurer), Aloy Onuzulike (P.R.O) and Emeka Okonkwo (Provost).
The leaders, in an interview explained that they embarked on the road construction as they observed that during the rainy season, the massive flooding of the area was causing serious erosion which may eventually result in loss of lives and property. The project cost the Age Grade a total sum of N16 million in the procurement of thousands of bags of cement, stone, sand, iron rods and other building materials, hire of concrete mixers, and labour costs.
Asked if they obtained financial or material support from people outside their age grade, the Chairman informed that the entire funds for the project were raised solely from their members, in form of donations and levies.
The road which will be a bye-pass from the heavy traffic from Nimo at Ezi-Okpalanri (former Ezi Elias) in Enugwu-Ukwu going towards Abagana is a clear demonstration of the fact that youths are not only leaders of tomorrow but are also leading today. The youths, in a well ordered society can become effective leaders of change and catalysts for massive social and economic development. While some of the youths can contribute to societal destruction through moral decadence, used as thugs for violence and rigging of elections, drugs abuse, cheating and frauds etc, a good majority can indeed become community leaders that move society along the desired path of unity, progress, development, security and hope. There is indeed light at the end of the tunnel during these difficult times in Nigeria.
The Obinwanne Age Grade in Uruekwo Enugwu-Ukwu is one of such as shining lights.
May their light continue to shine.
•Chief Sam Ekpe, Ezenwa di gbo of Enugwu-Ukwu, wrote in from Obu Ezenwa Enugwu-Ukwu.
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