Age Grades

AGE GRADES IN URUNNEBO - PREAMBLE

The Age Grade in the traditional Igbo Society is the most important agent of socialization, apart from the family. Generally, age grades function in relation to services pertaining to security, sanitation, and general administration of towns/villages.

Age grades are groups of persons according to social norms and values are regarded as people of the same age. In some communities, persons within a specified period of time, three or even five years of age bracket form an age grade, in some communities, the female wing of the age grade operate independent of the male wing, for instance, due to age differences, a man and his wife could belong to different age grades, while in some communities, husband and wife belong to the same age grade.

Relative to other age grades, members of each age grade are meant to know one another fairly well, to choose leaders among their members to pilot the affairs of the age grades.

Each age grade meet regularly to discuss issues of communal interest, and should be willing to help and defend the community when the need arises.

Age grades also help to improve the environment in which they live, by ensuring the cleanliness of the environment.

Age grades discipline erring individuals, thereby, contributing towards peace and development, through communal labour, constructing and maintaining roads, building town halls and bridges, providing potable water, protecting their communities from attacks or invasion from neighboring communities.

Inspite of the spread of modernisation and urbanization, the role of age grades in the community in some parts of Igbo land remain significant and impactful.

Each age grade is given a special name that helps to define its position in the community. In some communities particularly in Anambra East and West, Awka North, some age grades are given the name to remark what happened when they were born, those who were born during the scarcity of salt were given the name “Ogboukonnu”, those born during the war was given the name “amuluna agha”.

However, some age grades choose the name, they wish to be identified with.

The age grade system has strong roots in Nri areas of Igbo land, aho in Arochukwu, Anambra East and West, Awka North and Onitsha. In Enugwu-Ukwu, age grades function effectively in Urunnebo, Uruekwo, Akiyi and Abomimi.

In the days of old, membership of age grades was compulsory, you could neither marry a wife nor be initiated into any title without belonging to an age grade, as you would be asked, which age grade do you belong to (kedu ogbo gi)

AGE GRADES IN URUNNEBO

The
establishment of Age Grades in Urunnebo is on age long and time honoured
institution. It served and is still serving very useful purposes. The motive
the pioneers of these age grades had in view in the ages, gone by was to give
maximum security to lives and property in the village, to establish orderly and
equitable government, to promote programmes and foster friendly relations with
our neighbors. It is the ultimate ambition of each age grade to leave behind
indelible impressions on the sands of time and to carve a niche in the annals
of the history of the village. Some of the past and present age grades in
Urunnebo are:

1. Imiutaba

2.Irunato

3. Ekwegbalu

4. Ekwutosi

5. Onweluego

6. Onweluzo

7. Abiliba 1918 – 1924

8. Udoka 1923 – 1933

9. Ekwueme 1934
– 1945

10. Oganiru 1947 – 1955

11. Igwebuike 1956 – 1961

12. Ifeadigo 1962 – 1967

13. Ofu Obi 1968 – 1973

14. Ifunanya 1974 – 1979

15. Nwanneamaka 1980 – 1985

There
had been age grades in Urunnebo preceeding Imiutuba which are not traceable by
the living because they were not recorded nor documented. The number of age grades from Imiutaba to the
youngest age grade, Nwanneamaka, is fifteen. The dates of the births of
Imiutaba, Irunato, Ekwegbalu, Ekwutosi, Onweluego, and Onweluzo could not be ascertained
as they had since disappeared from the face of the earth. Okeke Oyekwe who belonged
to Onweluzo died in 2014.

1. THE IMIUTABA AGE GRADE

Nwuzo Elele From Umuaba
Nworji Obuakonwa – From Umudike
Okekeocha Okefi – From Umudike
Amamilo And Udenze – From Umuogbu
Okekearu – From Umunwankwu

2. THE IRUNATO AGE GRADE

AnekweOkpalo From Umuaba
Dike Anunwa, Dike Obuakwunwa, Nwobu Mgbafoube, Okpakato, Nrili Nwigwego – All from Umudike
Anaekee, Ochiagha, All from Umuogbu
Iwotor, Nnebolise Okafor, Chibuzo Enekanma – All from Umuajana
e) Obidike Nwenugwe, Okafor Nta, Nwokoye Onyeonu – All from

Umunwankwu

4. THE EKWUTOSI AGE GRADE

Ezumezu Otukwu, Nwokoye Afoenyi, Nwangwu Okonkwo – All from Umuaba
Ebele Nwekinyi, Nwosu Okpakata, Arodili Okafor Okonkwo Mmuoh, Ajaegbu Nwankwu, Udedibo – All from Umudike.
Nwafonta Okoye, Nwokafocha Udenze, lfeacho, Amamilo – All from Umuogbu
Nwanakwuobi Nwankwo, Nwosu Ngene. Nwokoyo Nwelele – All from Umuajana
Nwokonkwor Mmaku Okekearu, Nwilo Nwokoye James Nwenugwu – All from Umunwankwu

5. THE ONWELUEGO AGE GRADE

Nnagbo Osineme, Olu Afoenyi, Ben Umeh – All from Umuaba.
Chief Peter Okoye, Ifebunandu Nwigwe, Moses Okonkwo Udengene Oyekwe, Udegbunem Nwokoye Nwifeke was the last member of the Onweluego Age Grade to die. He died on 31/12/1999 – All the above are from Umudike.
Nwajulu Udenze, Nwokafor, Obiora Mgba – All from Umuogbu
Ngenegbo Okonkwo, Nwejike Anunwa, Okochichi Ebue, Nwokoye Nwakuoye, Okonkwo Iwotor, Simon Okeke – All from Umuajana
Okeke Okafonta, Okeke Nwanu, Obuemezie Okekearu, Akataka Ifeacho – All from Umunwankwu

6. THE ONWELUZO AGE GRADE

Paul Otukwu, Okonkwo Nwuzo, Nwokafo Nchekwube Mark Muoh – All from Umuaba
Okoye Nwobu, Okeke Ogbutor, Okafor Anowii, Okeke Oyekwe was the last member to die, he died in 2014 – All are from Umudike
Okeke Ochichi, Philip Nnadozie, Alfred Udenze, Cyprain Nwangwu, Chief Dennis Okafor (Whum) Josephat Enemmo, Okechukwu Anaekee – All from Umuogbu
Okafor Mmuoh, Okeke Uzoduaku, Okoye Nwabueze, Okoye Mgboye, All from Umuajana
Okonkwo Nebedum (Eze Benin), Okeke Ijeonwu, Ekwenugo Nwenugwu, Ufom Omelagu, Okonkwo Ufom, Nnabuife Gmalu – All from Umunwankwu.

7. THE ABILIBA AGE GRADE

Some members of the age grade include:

Okeke Nwuzo, Sylvester Ezeani, Onwura Ezeani Anthony Otukwu, Mmaduka Okonkwo – All from Umuaba
Chief Elias Ajaegbu, Francis Nwoye, Emma Ozumba, Okeke Nwonwu, Anene Emenike, Okonkwo Nwoye Joseph Okonkwo, Nwokelue Akuoma, John Okocha, Okafor Nrili who was the chairman – All from Umudike
Natheniel Enemmo, Chukwudozie Udenze, Polycarp Udenze was their last Chairman, Mmaduagugbu Iloeje, Hyacinth Anaekee – All from Umuogbu
Pius Obanwude, Okeke Ngenenwel Mmili, Okafor Egenti, Nwogbo, Nwobu Uzodi – All from Umuajana
Okafor Andenugwu Okekearu, Ekemezie Okekearu, Eyiagu Okoye, Chief Engr J.D.A Omalu, Gordian Nwabude – All from Umunwankwu. Two members of the Abiliba Age Grade are still alive. They are Gordian Nwabude from Umunwankwu and Okafor Oyekwe from Umudike. Gordian Nwabude is the present oldest man in Urunnebo is 101 (one hundred and one years of age)

The Imitaba, Irunato, Ekwegbalu, Ekwutosi, Onweluego, Onweluzo and Abiliba Age grades were the age grades that existed in Urunnebo before the civil war. Abiliba was the last age grade recognized in the village. During the civil war which lasted from 1967 – 1970, no age grade was formed, as the then Ozomites vacated the village because of the civil war.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE IMUTABA, IRUNATO, EKWUGBALU, EKWUTOSI, ONWELUEGO AND ONWELUZO TO THE VILLAGE.

The Iniutaba, Irunato age grades in their youthful days effectively warded off, all external aggressions, aimed at forcibly snatching valuable lands or property belonging to the village and mediated in land disputes in the village. They helped ameliorate the sad condition of the masses, as they would intervene when anybody in the village is being maltreated/ostracized by his kindred (Umunna), find out the cause and effect an immediate settlement.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE EKWEGBALU AGE GRADE

The Ekwegbalu age grade at the zenith of their youth, made their influence visibly felt in the village. They checked all gossip and idle talks in the village in a quick and precise way. They put up a memorial building at Eziobele called Okwuiela and also planted a tree at Eziobele named and called ‘Ogbu Osili’. The agents of gossip and rumors mongering were rounded up, and brought to trial under the tree. The guilty ones were fined according to the gravity of the offence they committed. It is on record, that they cut down an oil bean tree at Orofia and carried the oil bean tree whole and entire with the branches to Eziobele. This tree provided the wood with which the hall popularly called ‘Okwujelu” was built. They were stout, soldierly and courageous, they looked like giants.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE EKWUTOSI AGE GRADE

The members of this age grade spearheaded the building of the ancient and historic Ngene building/house which was opened in 1939 with great fanfare and festivities. They initiated the building of this house, because they were the first group to organize the collection of stones for the project and supervised the progress of work. Two members of this age grade, Chiefs Nwokoye Okekearu and Ajaegbu Nwankwu built the first upstairs in Urunnebo village.

CONTRIBUTION OF THE ONWELUEGO AGE GRADE

The discovery of the Amakaodu stream which is now extinct belongs to this age grade. They were also behind the members of the Ekwutosi age grade in the building of the Ngene house. The last of their members to die was Chief Udegbane Okoye Nwifeke who died on 31/12/1999.

CONTRIBUTION OF THE ONWELUZO AGE GRADE

Credit for the building of our school, citadel of learning in our village should go to Onweluzo, strongly backed Onweluego.

THE ABILIBA AGE GRADE

As stated earlier, the Abiliba age grade was the last age grade recognized by Urunnebo before the Nigeria/Biafra war. The members of this age grade and the Onweluzo age grade played a notable role in the construction of the road from Orofia to Nise. The members of this age grade provided the workforce for the road.

Regrettably, the road was not approved by the then government, the one approved is the one from Orofia through Umuakwu to Nise. Some members of this road was not approved by the then government, the one approved is age grade were educated. The members of this age grade had a prestigious dance called Igba Eze.

At the end of the Nigeria/Biafra war in 1970, the Ozomites returned from the various towns or places they lived as refuges during the war as Abiliba was the last recognized age grade in Urunnebo, prior to the war, others particularly the members of the present Udoka and the Ekwueme age grades were called “Amakoekwu” the others including the present members of the Oganiru age grade and those junior to them were called “Asikacha” which names appear derogatory.

The members of the Udoka, Ekwueme. Amakekwu and Asikacha summoned a meeting for them to identify their ages and know where each should belong. It was at that meeting that the members of the Udoka age grade identified themselves and separated from Amakaekwu. They chose the name Udoka (peace is paramount) and were recognized by Urunnebo in 1971. The present members of the Ekwueme age grade came together and adopted the name Ekwueme and was recognized by Urunnebo in 1972.

THE UDOKA AGE GRADE

The Udoka age grade was recognized by Urunnebo during the Onwasato festival of 1971. They wrote their name in the letter gold in the village, by constructing a bridge at Ezi Emenike and checked the menace of the ravine. They also converted a dilapidated hall at Eziebeofu village square into a modern and comfortable drinking hall and supplied the hall with electric power. The Udoka age grade introduced the admission of our daughters into age grades in the village. Their pioneer and able Chairman was Late Nze Patrick Ejike Anunwa Nwatakwocha. They organized and learnt a dance band called Igbo liele and won the second price at St. Anthonie’s field on 26/12/72. Their pioneer secretary was Innocent Iwotor.

SOME MEMBERS OF THE AGE GRADE INCLUDE:

Felix Ofomata Ezeani, Mich. Osineme, Alfred Otukwu, Nwobu Nchekwube, Gilbert Nwuzo – All from Umuaba
Chief Dennis Emenike, Eusebius Nworah, Patrick Ozumba Dom Okoye Ndibe, AbaezeOkoye – All from Umudike
Damian Ifemeka, Amadi, Christopher Udenze, Anthony Nwangwu – All from Umuogbu
Christopher Nwobu, Joseph Okoye, Nwibe Ndike, Anthony Nwokoye, Anthony Nwosu, Humphry Anisiobi – All from Umuajana
Ignatius Akataka, Anthony Okekearu, Innocent Okekearu, Emmanuel Oforah, Ben Okekearu – All from Umunwankwu. Three members of the Udoka Age Grade are still alive, they are: Anthony Nwangwu, Benedict Okekearu, Emmanuel Akabike and Humphrey Anisiobi.

THE EKWUEME AGE GRADE

The Ekwueme is the 9th of all the age grades recognized in Urunnebo.

The Age grade was recognized by Urunnebo during the Onwasato festival of 1972. The members of the age grade are highly organized as all aspire for the progress of the age grade and respond to meetings whenever summoned for meetings. Members of the age grade are those who were born between 1934 and 1945. The members of the age grade respond whenever summoned by Urunnebo and execute any assignment given to her by Urunnebo. The members of the Udoka and Ekwueme age grades were the bulwark of Urunnebo when the rest of the town nearly ostracized the village, that attempted ostracism by Enugwu-Ukwu helped Urunnebo to coalesce and bind themselves together – it fostered unity in the village.

In compliance with the aims of the founding fathers of age grades in Urunnebo, the Ekwueme age grade constructed an access road into Urunnebo from Enu-Orji, Enugwu-Ukwu. The age grade handed the road over to Urunnebo on 07-02-1981, during the regime of Chief J.O.A Omalu. The money donated by those present then, was handed over to Urunnebo for the maintenance of the road. The members of the age grade participated in the night watch, when Urunnebo requested them to protect the villagers against miscreants at nights then.

The members bought a hundred crates of Golden Guinea beer from Umuahia and sold them to the villagers at control price.

The Ekwueme’s Akwunechanyi dance of the age grade did the village proud as the dance, won the first price at the dance competition at St Anthony’s field on 26-12-1984.

The age grade supplied her dance free to Urunnebo whenever the request for the dance was made.

A member of the age grade Rev. Monsignor Patrick Mmuoh was elevated to the sacred order of priesthood in 1973 at St Theresa’s Catholic Church Abakiliki. The members of the age grade returned in mass for his reception by Urunnebo Improvement Union and made donations to him.

The Pioneer chairman of the age grade was Chief Peter Okeke (Oka Taste) his vice was Rich Igbokwe. Chief Christopher Mmuoh succeded Chief Peter Okeke. Nze Gordy Anukenyi took over in 2009 and continued to 2023 the year he died.

The Pioneer Secretary was Mich Frank Okafor. The current chairman is Nze Mich Nkalu the Secretary is Philip Okoye Dilibe.

Our daughters who fall within the age grade limit of the male members of the age grade were later admitted into the age grade. Their husbands were requested to write to the age grade approving their wives’ admission into the age grade. Women started registering into the age grade on 20-01-1994. Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nwafocha was elected their chairperson.

SOME MEMBERS OF THE AGE GRADE ARE

Chief Engr. W.C Osineme, Joseph Otukwu, Patrick Otukwu, Ben Osineme, Francis Mmuoh, Charles Nchekube, Okoye Anaekwe, Okoye Umeh Ogbaeti – All from Umuaba.
Raphael Emenike, Fabian Ajaegbu, Simon Ajaegbu, Boniface Ajaegbu, Anthony Oyekwe, Innocent Oyekwe, John Nwobi, Mich Nkalu, J.B.C Okonkwo, Fidelis Nwoye, Sylvester Nwokoli, Chigo Nwigwe, Raymond Obelle, Boniface Obelle, Mich Frank Okafor – All from Umudike
Oba Cyril Onuzulike, Sir Patrick Sunday Okafor, Francis Anisibi, Charles Okoye, Julius Egenti, Francis Egenti, Paul Nwobu, Dominic Nwobu – All from Umuajana
Asinonye Ilodigwe, Dr. Sylvester Amamilo, Boniface Ogbutor, Justice Vero Ogbutor, Sir Joseph Raymond Okoye, John Wheeler Nwosu, James Anekwe – All from Umuogbu
Aaron Omalu, Peter Omalu, Pius Omalu, Columbus Okokearu, Gordy Omeleagu, Engr. Remy Okekearu, Chukwudozie Okefi, Simeon Oguejiofor, Alphonsus Ndubuisi, Linus Okoye, Jacob, Fidelis Onyeonu – All from Umunwaukwu.

The members of the Ekwueme age groomed the Oganiru age grade and presented them to Urunnebo for recognition.

The members of the age grade donated footballs to Urunnebo community school when the headmaster of the school appealed to the age grade for the donation of footballs to the school. It is however unfortunate that the tyrant/leveler (death) is taking a heavy toll on the members of the age grade. Eze Iddi Dr. Sir Ambrose Mgbakor, Eze Iddi Enugwu-Ukwu na Umunri the 11th Iddi, Engr. Chief William Osineme, the Emenulu both, belong to the Age Grade.

THE OGANIRU AGE GRADE

The Oganiru age grade was recognized by Urunnebo in 1983. The age grade is vibrant, they constructed the road from Urunnebo to Agu Urunnebo – the road runs in front of late Augustine Iwotor’s compound through Ezi Okpanum to Agu Urunnebo. The road has been taken over by Urunnebo, the age grade has a nice dance band called ‘Igba Ike ljele’ which is appealing, their ljele Masquerade still dances very well. The pioneer chairman was late Innocent Obiekzie, their current chairman is Mr. Raphael Nwenugwu.

The age grade produced three president generals of U.I.U, they are: Ozonkpu Anthony Okeke (Abalaelie), Hon Gilbert Okolocha and Sir Greg Egenti. Ozonkpu Anthony Okeke initiated and completed the building of the Ozom Assembly Complex under his regime as the PG of Urunnebo.

THE IGWEBUIKE AGE GRADE

The Igwebuike age grade was recognized by Urunnebo in December1987. Their Pioneer Chairman was late Lawrence Enemmo. They organized a raffle draw on the day, they were recognized by Urunnebo, Mr. Aruka Nwobu won the first price of a thermocool refrigerator and the second prize of a coloured television was won by Okwoloko Chinedu. They promised to sink a borehole for Urunnebo. Mr. Peter Anyakora took over as the chairman from late Lawrence Enemmo. There was a lit after Peter Anyakora’s administration.

A caretaker committee was inaugurated and headed by late Ozoemena Okonkwo. The caretaker committee resuscitated the age grade, there was an election and Sir Vincent Nnatu was elected the chairman.

Under the chairmanship of Vincent Nnatu, they learnt a dance and their dance is known as Igbaliele cultural dance. The outing of the dance band was in December 2014. Their ljele Masquerade thrilled the audience with its scintillating dance steps, the masquerade performed very well during the Igwe’s Iguaro of 2014. The present executive of the age grade was elected on 02-01-2023 and late Edwin Okekearu was elected the chairman and Mr. Ernest Nwuzor the secretary.

THE IFEADIGO AGE GRADE

The Ifeadigo age grade was recognized by Urunnebo in 26-08-2007. Their first chairman was Mr. Fred Enemmo. The members of the age grade are still young and vibrant. They constructed the big water tank at F.A.D.A.M.A and extended electricity supply to F.A.D.A.M.A their current chairman is Mr. Paulinus Okufa (Equalizer)

THE OFU OBU AGE GRADE

The members of the Ofu Obi age grade were introduced to Urunnebo and recognized by Urunnebo at the Christmas general meeting held on 20-12-2018. Their pioneer chairman was Nnamdi Nwilo. Their first elected chairman was Mr. Vincent Okeke. Engr. Chinedu Omalu took over from Mr. Vin Okeke. Their current Chairman is Mr. Chamberlain Egenti.

On the day of their inauguration, they promised Urunnebo that they would sponsor seven indigent students, one from each village in secondary schools. The members of the age grade have a popular dance band called Igba Enyi cultural dance.

THE IFUNANYA AGE GRADE

The Ifunanya age grade was recognized by Urunnebo in January 2022 at Obu Ozom. They were presented to Urunnebo by Willy Ndibe who was then the chairman of youth and age grade mobilisation committee, the cow, yams, kolanuts and drinks they presented to Urunnebo were shared by the seven villages making up Urunnebo group of villages.

Their pioneer chairman was Lotachukwu Okeke. The first elected and present chairman is Nze M.B.C Okeke.

At their inauguration they promised the Ozomites that they would later inform Urunnebo what they would contribute towards the development and progress of the village.

THE NWANNEAMAKA AGE GRADE

The Nwanneamaka age grade is presently the youngest age grade in Urunnebo as of today. The members of this age grade are those born between 1981-1985. They were presented to Urunnebo by lfunanya age grade and the current chairman of Youth and Age Grade Mobilisation Committee, Oba Chukwudi Nwokoye (Oba Caterpillar). Their elected and current chairman is Mr. Oluchukwu Nwogbo and the secretary is Christian Ifeanyi Okeke. They promised that they would mount C.C.T.V digital solar energy in all entrances into and exits from the village.

CONCLUSION

Age grades are essential in villages and towns, as they foster unity in the towns and villages where age grades exist. It helps one understand and know the members of ones age grade and helps one to compete and emulate the progressive members of ones age grade. Affluent members of ones age grade assist and help the weak and indigent members.

As each age grade aspires to leave impressions in their villages/towns some constructed roads, bridges and town halls and award scholarships to the children of indigent members of the community. It enthrones peace, love and understanding in villages/towns.

U.I.U approves the sustenance of age grades in Urunnebo by creating age grade and Youths Mobilisation Committee.” The first Chairman of this committee was late Dominic Nwobu. He was succeeded by late Alfred Onwelike. Onwelike was succeeded by Willy Ndibe and Mr. Willy Ndibe handed over to Chukwudi Nwokoye (Oba Caterpillar). The recognition of age grades is facilitated by this committee.

CREDITS: Mr. Michael Frank Okafor (OGBUIGWEFI)