Age Grades Must Become Engines of Grassroots Development, Not Social Clubs Says Udefi

By Chukwudi Ebele

The traditional age-grade system in Anam must evolve from predominantly social associations into structured engines of grassroots development, welfare and economic empowerment, 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 Head of Department, Works, Awka South Local Government Area, made the call on Sunday, September 6, 2026, while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Oote Anam celebration organised by Mmekoka Age Grade, Umuoba Anam, Awka Branch, at Royal Paradise Hotel, Awka.

He urged age grades across Anambra State, particularly those in Anam, to reclaim their traditional role as institutions of community service, welfare and collective responsibility.

Udefi also commended Mmekoka Age Grade for organising its New Yam Festival several weeks after the wider Ndi Anam celebration.

He described Oote Anam as more than an annual cultural event, saying it represents 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 once central to community administration and development in Anam.

He recalled that earlier generations used age grades to build roads and markets, resolve disputes, provide security and support 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,” he said.

Udefi, however, expressed concern that some contemporary age grades had become largely social and financial associations.

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

He noted that Anam still faces challenges in water supply, electricity, education, healthcare and youth empowerment, arguing that age grades possess the capacity to address 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 model

Udefi cited Igwebuike Anam as an example of how an age grade can combine social cohesion with measurable development when guided by vision, structure and accountability.

He said the organisation had implemented or initiated programmes covering education, infrastructure, welfare, economic empowerment and community integration.

In education, he said the group had introduced scholarship initiatives and distributed writing materials to primary school pupils across the eight communities of Anam.

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

He added that plans had been completed for the “Water Is Life 2026” initiative, which will see boreholes provided across the eight communities by December.

“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.

Udefi said the age grade had also established welfare mechanisms through which members could access soft loans based on monthly contributions, empowerment support and assistance with hospital bills.

He said the initiatives demonstrated that an age grade could simultaneously function as a social safety net for its members and a development institution for the wider community.

One Anam through digital mobilisation

Udefi also pointed to the use of digital platforms as a tool for strengthening unity among Anam’s eight communities.

He said the creation of a unified WhatsApp platform had helped connect members from the different communities under a common development structure.

“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 such platforms could help mobilise Anam indigenes living outside the community, including those in Lagos, Abuja, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“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

Udefi proposed a four-point blueprint for repositioning Mmekoka and other Anam age grades.

First, he called for a shift “from social to strategic”, urging every age grade to develop a three-year plan covering education, healthcare, empowerment and infrastructure, with at least one flagship project delivered within the period.

Second, he proposed moving “from dues to development fund”, with transparent community development accounts. He suggested that 60 per cent of funds could go to development projects and 40 per cent to welfare, alongside annual publication of financial accounts.

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

Third, he advocated a shift “from village to global”, urging age grades to use platforms such as WhatsApp and Zoom and establish structured diaspora chapters.

Finally, he called for a shift “from individuals to institution”, with age grades building partnerships with town unions, churches and government agencies.

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

Challenge to Mmekoka Awka Branch

Udefi challenged Mmekoka Age Grade, Umuoba Anam, Awka Branch, to use its location in the Anambra State capital as an advantage for community development.

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

He proposed that the group sponsor at least 10 students annually, adopt the Umuoba Health Centre and establish mentorship programmes for young people.

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

Udefi concluded by urging age grades to make 2026 a turning point by prioritising service, accountability and development over social consumption.

“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 become “builders” rather than mere celebrants.

“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 challenged the present generation to consider the legacy it would leave behind.

“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: “Ike dị na mmadụ — there is strength in unity.”

He also pledged his support for Mmekoka’s development initiatives.

Mmekoka pledges support

Earlier, Chairman of Mmekoka Age Grade, Umuoba Anam, Awka Branch, Hon. Uchenna Anizor, said the event was organised to bring members from different branches and invited guests together to celebrate Oote Anam and discuss ways age-grade platforms could be used for meaningful community service.

Anizor, who is also President-General of Umuoba Anam Community, thanked Udefi for his contributions to grassroots development and described Igwebuike Anam’s initiatives as worthy of emulation.

Another Mmekoka chairman, Comrade Samuel Onyeachonam Iveatu, described Udefi’s address as thought-provoking and pledged his support for repositioning the age grade as a development-oriented association.

The event featured the unveiling of Mmekoka’s official muffler and decoration of members, musical performances by the Mmekoka Age Grade, Umuoba Anam Ogene Music Group, and solo performances by Ejike Ogara and Nkpeodili Azuanuka.

Among the guests were 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.