All roads will lead to Afor Civic Center, Adazi–Nnukwu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State tomorrow, Saturday, 30th December, 2023, where Ofu-Obi Age Grade will celebrate its silver jubilee anniversary. The celebration will be kicked off with a concelebrated High Mass at 9am to be said by the Catholic bishop of Nnewi Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas Benson Okoye. After the mass, the celebrants, Ofu-Obi men and women, would converge at the civic center as they did twenty-five years ago when they were initiated into the age grade system of the town, to present themselves once again to the entire community.
For twenty-five years, the members of the age grade have contributed immensely to the growth and development of their beloved town Adazi-Nnukwu in particular, Anaocha Local Government Area and Anambra State in general.
The Age Grade carefully assembled prominent men in the town to direct its affairs during the celebration. Chief T.J. Nwogu (Dim Akubue Nwata of Adazi-Nnukwu) will chair the occasion while the Senator representing Anambra Central in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Victor Umeh is the special guest of honour.
Chief Kanu Ugwumba (the Regent/Odu of Adazi Nnukwu) is the Chief Host while the President-General of Adazi-Nnukwu Town Development Union, (ATDU), Engr. Cyril Anetoh, (Ichie Ugonna) will be on hand to facilitate the proceedings.
The age grade system in Adazi-Nnukwu was planted over two centuries ago and took a life of its own over time. It has been the bedrock of development, maintenance of peace, law, order, and discipline in the town. Members of Ofu-Obi age grade are those born between the years 1961 and 1966. From historical records, the pioneers of the Age-Grade system in the town were members of Ndichie, those that came into existence prior to 1823.
It is a thing of joy that despite the civil war which ravaged Igboland between 1967 and 1970 and which affected the formative stages of members, the age grade has in its fold men and women of means, substance and integrity that weathered the storm and distinguished themselves in different spheres of human endeavour both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora. The age grade is proud to have as her member an illustrious son and the first Catholic Bishop of Adazi-Nnukwu descent, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas Benson OKOYE, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese. They also have six catholic priests, a Reverend Brother and five Reverend Sisters. The age grade is home to several professors in different academic disciplines, medical doctors, engineers, lawyers, educationists, and entrepreneurs.
As part of activities lined up for the epoch jubilee event is the award of excellence and honour to six distinguished men and women that made uncommon sacrifices to birth the age-grade and nurtured its growth, progress and development over time. The age-grade will also be handing over a new pavilion at the civic centre and security gadgets to the community.
Ofu Obi Age Grade will also distribute food items to indigent members of the community through the various age grades in the community.
As the age grade celebrates its Silver Jubilee tomorrow, the members remember those who set out with them but have answered the call of the Almighty and pray God to grant them eternal rest in His bosom, Amen.
The age grade is full of gratitudes to God Almighty for keeping members of the age-grade alive to witness her Silver Jubilee celebration and as well as pray God to keep them alive to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in the year 2048, Amen!
Written DR UCHE MADUEMESI
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