Ezumezu: Age grade system as driver of development in Igbere

The age grade system in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of Abia, is an inheritance cherished by the people.

The inheritance has been deepened, as unlike the practice in years back, women now join their male counterparts.

The greatest glamour of the Igbere age grade system is the triennial Ezumezu, where the oldest age grade will retire

(Igbotonma) and a new a grade recognised to fill the vacuum created by the retiring age grade.

Over the years, as a result of "cultural engineering,'' the functional and effective number of age grades is fixed at 13. With an age grade retiring every three years, the years of participation, is therefore 39 years.

As each age grade is expected to execute a landmark project during the active years and before retirement

(Igbotonma), little wonder that development projects that dot the entire Igbere community were the handwork of the age grades.

The landmark projects are: Igbere Health Centre, Omezi Ebiri Market, numerous bridges and culverts, Corpers'

Lodge at Igbere Secondary School, built by Odinma Ebire Age Grade, among others.

At the 2020 Ezumezu, with the theme, "Building and Beautifying Igbere Together,'' stakeholders restated their commitment to continue carrying further afield, the cultural heritage bequeathed on them by the eponymous founder of Igbere.

The 2020 Ezumezu was shifted to December, 2021 because of the global COVID-19.

Dr Oji Okorie Oji, Chairman, Ezumezu Organising Committee, recalled that the ceremony ought to have held in 2020, but for the COVID-19 pandemic.

He restated that the: "Highlight of every Ezumezu is the celebration of our own people who will formally retire from mandatory community services.

" As we know, this celebration does not end here today, but continues in different homes and communities until the end of the year.

" So, I wish to recognise and congratulate all members of Omezi Ebiri Age Grade.

"The Ezumezu is also an occasion for us to renew our patriotic commitment to build and beautify Igbere.

"This is signified in the admission to community service of the youngest age grade, which will join hands with other age grades to continue the development of Igbere.''

Chief Awara Okorie, President-General of Igbere Welfare (IWU), who spoke, promised that the Union would sustain the tempo of development in Igbere. Okorie elected in June, 2021, said that IWU has "resolved to make Igbere environment friendly and to give the community face-lift.

" Plans are under way to reshape and reorganise the structural design of Omezi Ebiri Market, with the aim of upgrading it to a daily market.''

The IWU president thanked organisations and individuals that supported the Union as well as renovated schools in Igbere.

In his goodwill message, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, representing Bende Federal Constituency, in the National Assembly, described the Ezumezu as " prime gathering of a blessed people.''

He assured the people of quality representation and named some of the projects he attracted to Igbere.

Kalu listed them as: Completion of Uche Ebiri Hall, construction and furnishing of three classroom blocks at Onu Ibina Primary School, commencing construction of three blocks of classroom at Amato Secondary School, among others.

Mr Ukaegbu Kazi, Chairman, Omezi Ebiri Age Grade, Aba Branch, said that the retirement wouldn`t stop members from participation in community development.

Kazi, who is also the President-General, Amankalu Igbere Community Union, said members of retired age grades are still expected to give useful ideas on how to move Igbere forward.

He said that in Amankalu autonomous community, after three years of retirement, members will now be admitted as full-fledged elders.

The Igbere Council of Traditional Rulers, in their address jointly signed by Eze Okorie Chukwu and Eze Eme Chike, Chairman and Secretary respectively, reaffirmed their resolve to continue to deepen

Igbere's cultural heritage. They stressed their commitment to ensure that marriage is seamless in Igbere as well as make burial less cumbersome.

The traditional rulers announced that the Igbere 5th Revised Marriage Guideline covering 2021-2031 is ready for implementation.

They advised intending couples to get copies of the guideline.

" We strictly want the uniform implementation of the provisions of this marriage guideline, which from 1981 has been revised five times-1990, 1995,2010,and 2020 in line with the socio-economic realities and changes in our society.''

The traditional rulers also said that the Igbere uniform burial policy established in 2010 has come to stay.

"The 3rd week of every month serves as the approved burial ceremonies in Igbere.

"For over a decade now, bereaved families in Igbere have benefited from this burial policy.

"Penalty of N 50,000 imposed for the breach of this bye law still stands.

" We pray for the sustenance of this policy made for the good of our people.''

They also reiterated that the ban imposed on the holding of burial and marriage ceremonies in Igbere, from 24th 31st December on Ezumezu Igbere year is still in force.

"The ban is relaxed after that period. Holding of ceremonies commences in January of the new year and throughout without restrictions.''

Eze Roland Ekeoma, the Traditional Ruler of Amakpo Autonomous Community, said the marriage guideline was designed not to make things difficult for people marrying from Igbere.

He stressed that the guideline is an indication of the dynamism of Igbere people.

" We do not want to impose heavy financial burden on people marrying from Igbere.

" The bride price in Igbere remains N60,'' the royal father stressed.

On the reason for fixed burial days, Ekeoma said that the 13 autonomous communities in Igbere are interconnected.

He said that it was to make it convenient for people coming home for burials that informed the decision to have fixed dates.

" As a result of the fixed dates, people can now plan, indeed the people now applaud the novel idea,'' he said.

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu, who spoke at the Ezumezu, stressed the need for peace in Igbere.

The former governor of Abia stressed that without peace there will be no progress.

Supreme reports that Kalu was at the Igbotonma ceremony of some members of Omezi Ebiri Age Grade.

Stakeholders advocate for sustained peace in order to ensure the continuity of the Ezumezu.