BY MAGNUS EMUJI/CHUKWUDI ASOYA
AS the 2025 Okpanam new yam festival ended peacefully, various age grade associations have marked the Ogbobuogbo, signifying its end.
Speaking to journalists, some members of Ifediche age grade association, Mr. Gold Joseph Edozie, Mr. Esteem Adiboshi and Lady Ifeanyichukwu Uchibolu, agreed that age grade association is paramount in the culture of their community.
Edozie said that through the age grade association, they would be able to know who is older amongst them, especially when it comes to traditional leadership position in Okpanam.
Edozie particularly stated that the objective of age grade association is to foster unity among themselves, just as he implored the community to embrace peace, while urging youths to love one another at all times.
Uchibolu used the opportunity to clarify that she never knew her age grade until recently , adding that new yam festival was their culture and not fetish as the Ogbobuogbo was a day set aside for them to interact and celebrate each other.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of Mother of Mercy Hospital, Ogwashiuku and the leader of Oganishu age grade association , Dr. Emeka Nwabuoku, Mr. Mathew Mafiana and Engr. Peter Moha, both of Oganishu age grade, as well as Comr. Chukwuedo Stanley Obiaku of Egonwakpatanaahuoyi age grade, commended the youths.
Nwabuoku, said that the new yam festival is their tradition and admonished all age grade associations to be up and doing by ensuring that they conducted themselves in line with their constitutional rights.
For his part, Mathew Mafiana stated that despite the diversity of culture, Okpanam culture and tradition is similar to Illah, his community, hence he decided to join the age grade association.
