Age Grades Must Become Engines for Grassroots Development, Not Social Clubs — Udefi

By Olisemeka Obeche

The traditional age-grade system in Anam must urgently evolve from a predominantly social association into a structured force for grassroots development, welfare and economic empowerment, the President-General of Igwebuike Anam Age Grade and Chairman of the Umuoba Anam Development Council (UADC), Awka Branch, Engr. Samuel Onyewelu Udefi, has said.

Udefi, who is also the Head of Department, Works, Awka South Local Government Area, made the call on Sunday, September 6, 2026, while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Oote Anam celebration hosted by Mmekoka Age Grade, Umuoba Anam, Awka Branch, at the Royal Paradise Hotel, Awka.

The former Chairman of Umuezeanya Youth Association challenged age grades across Anambra State, particularly those in Anam, to rediscover their traditional role as institutions of community service, welfare and collective responsibility.

He also commended members of Mmekoka Age Grade, Umuoba Anam, Awka Branch, for organising a special New Yam Festival several weeks after the celebration by Ndi Anam.

Udefi described Oote Anam, the New Yam Festival, as more than an annual cultural celebration, saying it represents a homecoming, renewal of communal bonds and a reaffirmation of Anam’s collective identity.

“Oote Anam is not just a festival. It is a homecoming, a renewal of our bond of unity and brotherhood, and a reminder of who we are as Ndi Anam,” he said.

According to him, the age-grade system, traditionally known as Otu Ogbo, was historically central to community administration and development in Anam.

He said the founding generations of Anam relied on age grades to undertake essential community responsibilities, including road construction, market development, dispute resolution, security and support for families during bereavement.

“Our fathers built basic infrastructure through age grades. They cleared roads, built markets, settled disputes and buried the dead through Otu Ogbo. The age grade was government, welfare, security and family all in one,” Udefi said.

However, he expressed concern that some contemporary age grades had moved away from their traditional development-oriented responsibilities, becoming largely focused on social gatherings and financial contributions.

“Today, many of our age grades have become social clubs only. We meet, we dance, we pay levies, and we go home,” he said.

Udefi noted that communities in Anam continue to face challenges relating to water supply, electricity, education, healthcare and youth empowerment, arguing that age grades could play a significant role in addressing some of these needs.

“The question is: Can the age grade be more than a social club?” he asked.

His answer was emphatic: “Yes.”

Igwebuike Anam as a development model

Udefi cited Igwebuike Anam as an example of what an age grade could achieve when guided by vision, structure and accountability.

According to him, the age grade has implemented or initiated programmes in education, infrastructure, welfare, economic empowerment and community integration.

On education, he said Igwebuike Anam had introduced scholarship initiatives and provided writing materials to pupils in primary schools across Anam.

He said the initiatives were designed to reduce financial barriers that could prevent children from accessing or remaining in school.

On infrastructure, Udefi highlighted the group’s “Operation Light Up Anam 2023” initiative, through which, he said, solar-powered streetlights were provided across the eight communities in Anam.

He also disclosed that the group had completed plans for its “Water Is Life 2026” initiative, under which boreholes would be provided across the eight communities by December 2026.

“Igwebuike Anam provided solar streetlights single-handedly across the eight communities in Anam. Igwebuike Anam has also completed plans to provide and install water boreholes across the eight communities in Anam by December 2026,” he said.

Soft loans, healthcare and empowerment

Beyond infrastructure, Udefi said Igwebuike Anam had developed welfare mechanisms aimed at providing financial and social support to its members.

He cited welfare groups comprising members of Igwebuike Anam through which soft loans are made available based on monthly contributions.

He also mentioned empowerment initiatives for members seeking to establish livelihoods, as well as assistance with hospital bills for sick members when the need arises.

According to him, such initiatives demonstrate that an age grade can serve as both a social safety net for its members and a catalyst for broader community development.

‘Unity can create one Anam voice’

Udefi also highlighted the role of digital communication in connecting Anam’s eight communities and promoting unity.

He said the creation of a unified WhatsApp platform had helped bring members from the different communities together under a common development umbrella.

“By bringing all eight communities under one development umbrella through the WhatsApp platform, Igwebuike Anam killed division and built one Anam voice through the age grade,” he said.

He added that the experience demonstrated the potential of age grades to mobilise Anam indigenes across geographical boundaries, particularly those living outside the community.

“Igwebuike proved one thing: when an age grade has vision, structure and accountability, it becomes the strongest support structure a community has,” Udefi said.

Four-point blueprint for Anam age grades

Udefi subsequently presented a four-point blueprint for repositioning Mmekoka and other Anam age grades as development-oriented institutions.

The first, he said, was a shift “from social to strategic.”

He proposed that every age grade should develop a three-year development plan covering areas such as education, healthcare, empowerment and infrastructure, with each group identifying at least one flagship project for implementation within the period.

The second was a shift “from dues to development fund.”

He called for age grades to establish transparent community development accounts, suggesting that 60 per cent of funds could be allocated to development projects and 40 per cent to welfare.

He also advocated the annual publication of financial accounts.

“Trust brings more money,” he said, stressing that accountability would encourage greater participation and financial support from members.

The third proposal was “from village to global.”

Udefi urged age grades to take advantage of digital platforms such as WhatsApp and Zoom while establishing structured diaspora chapters.

He argued that Anam indigenes living in cities such as Lagos and Abuja, as well as those residing in countries including the United Kingdom and the United States, could become strategic partners in community development if effective structures were established.

The fourth proposal was “from individuals to institution.”

He urged age grades to develop partnerships with town unions, churches and government institutions.

“Age grade should not compete with the community — it should drive it,” he declared.

Udefi challenges Mmekoka Awka Branch

Turning specifically to Mmekoka Age Grade, Umuoba Anam, Awka Branch, Udefi challenged members to leverage their presence in Awka, the Anambra State capital, to become catalysts for development in their community.

“You are in Awka — the seat of power. You have access, you have brains, you have resources,” he told the members.

He proposed that the age grade consider sponsoring at least 10 students annually, adopting the Umuoba Health Centre and establishing mentorship programmes for young people.

“When Awka Branch leads, the home Branch will follow. That is leadership,” he said.

‘Our children will ask what your age grade built’

Udefi concluded his address with a call for age grades to embrace a renewed culture of service, accountability and collective responsibility.

He rejected the notion that the age-grade system had become outdated, arguing that the institution remained relevant if adapted to contemporary development needs.

“The age-grade system is not old-fashioned. It is timeless,” he said.

“What is old-fashioned is using it only for aso-ebi and birthdays.”

He urged Mmekoka and other age grades to make 2026 a turning point by prioritising community development over consumption and social activities.

“Let this 2026 Oote Anam be the year Mmekoka says: ‘We will build more than we consume.’ Let us reposition ourselves from celebrants to builders, from recipients to givers.”

He then posed a question about the legacy the present generation would leave for its children.

“Because in the end, our children will not ask how much we spent on clothes. They will ask: What did your age grade build in Anam?”

Udefi ended by invoking the Igwebuike philosophy of collective strength, declaring, “Ike dị na mmadụ — there is strength in unity.”

He also pledged his support for Mmekoka Age Grade and its development initiatives.

Mmekoka leaders pledge commitment to development

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of Mmekoka Age Grade, Umuoba Anam, Awka Branch, Hon. Uchenna Anizor, said the event was organised to bring members of the age grade from different branches and other invited guests together to celebrate the annual festival and deliberate on how age-grade platforms could be used to render meaningful community services.

Anizor, who is also the President-General of Umuoba Anam Community, thanked Udefi for his contributions to grassroots development, describing the leadership initiatives of Igwebuike Anam Age Grade as worthy of emulation.

The Chairman of Mmekoka Age Grade, Umuoba Anam, Comrade Samuel Onyeachonam Iveatu, also thanked Udefi for what he described as a thought-provoking address.

Iveatu pledged his readiness to support efforts to reposition Mmekoka Age Grade as a grassroots development-oriented association.

The event featured the formal unveiling of the age grade’s official muffler and decoration of members, musical performances by the Mmekoka Age Grade, Umuoba Anam Ogene Music Group, as well as performances by Ejike Ozoemena (Ogara), Nkpeodili and other dancers.

Among the guests at the event were the former Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Chief Fidel Okafor; former Chairman of UADC, Awka Branch, Chief Augustine Okafor; President of Umuoba Anam Youth Council, Comrade Onyebuchi Mmeh; the Chairman and members of Soludo Age Grade, Umuoba Anam, Awka Branch; and other members of Mmekoka Age Grade, Umuoba Anam.

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