It was a celebration galore in Obayi Ovim autonomous community Isuikwuato local government area of Abia state as the Oganiihu Age grade was inaugurated and received into the community fold with a charge to help in the development of the community.
The ceremony which was held at Asaga Obayi was graced by most sons and daughters of Obayi Ovim as well as friends and well-wishers.
The ceremony which was described as the introduction of 6th Age grade to the public by ‘Uke ji’ ama ‘ is an outstanding age long traditions of the people of Obayi Ovim which their fore fathers started as a way of bringing the youths together for the development and protection of the community.
Explaining the meaning and essence of the cultural festival, the palace secretary High chief sir Charles Odumuko who spoke with the SouthEastBreakingnews , revealed that any adult in the community that does not belong to an age grade will miss alot of things including the full rights and privileges giving to the community members and Chief Onyebuchi Ukachukwu said there are many stages in the formation of age grade and all of them are geared towards combine Contribution and development of Obayi Ovim autonomous community.
Lolo Eunice Nwanyi- eze Onwuchekwa expressed happiness that she is alive to witness her son Ikeson Onwuchekwa being inaugurated into the age grade system in Obayi Ovim.
She urged the new age grade members to continue to work harder and fear God in all their endeavors.
In their separate contributions, Engr. Victor Ibeziem who came back home because of the ceremony, pointed out that age grade system in Obayi Ovim has helped greatly in the development of the community and continuity .
According to him, ” It is an organized system and it is good for people to identify with the system.
” It is when you identify with one age grade in Obayi Ovim that you will be recognized and can hold position in Obayi.
” I encourage every youth to join .It is a very good platform for identification, recognition and for Services to the community” he said
For Engr.Prince Ogbonna, he stated that the age grade system in Obayi Ovim helps the youths to arrange themselves for the benefit of the community, adding that most developments witnessed in some communities are purely community members’ efforts not government.
” The age grade started from time immemorial .It is the youths that clear the roads and make them motorable .
” Coming together to develop the community is not a sin and there is nothing fetish about it .
” If there is anything fetish about it ,I will not be here .Since I joined the age grade,I know how much I have spent to assist in the development of our community”
Earlier,the chairman of the Oganiihu Age grade Mr Okereke Chukwuemeka Kingsley, described the ceremony as a very important one to all the new age grade members.
He commended their fore fathers for introducing the system which he noted has been helping to develop Obayi Ovim community.
” The age grade members serve as warriors who guide and protect the community from external forces or Invaders as well as help in the development.
” We are the sixth age grade and we are going to renovate our market ,the Obayi Ovim market that will be our first Contribution to the development of our community ” he said