PG Felicitates with Osakwe, other over 140 Octogenarians at Ito-Ogbo Obosi Festival
.. Youths Advised to embrace Healthy living,Fear of God, shun avarice for Longevity
By Uzo Ugwunze
The President, General, Obosi community, Barrister Chimezie Obi, Former Chairman, People’s Club of Nigeria International (PCNI), Onitsha branch, Chief John-Chuks Onwuazor(Omenife Adaziani) and other dignitaries have felicitated with Chief Dr. Godwin Chukwujekwu Osakwe (Odunkataukwunecheze Obosi) as he celebrated his 80 years birthday in grand style.
Speaking at Chief Dr. Osakwe’s county home, Uruowulu village, Obosi community, Idemili North LGA, Anambra State the Town Union President described the celebrant, Odunkataukwunecheze as a great man and the custodian of the history of Uruowulu praying God to keep him longer in good health.
“Obosi is known for Ito-Ogbo, Longevity, festival for Octogenarians or mass birthday. Those up to 80years of age will come to the field and be capped by the traditional ruler with the Ogbueshi title It has been practiced for over 400years.
” Ito-Ogbo is the biggest festival in Obosi Ukwalla kingdom which witnesses the highest mass return. Infact, it is the desire of every indigene of Obosi community to live and celebrate his or her 80th birthday with the age-group”.
“Odunkataukwunecheze is a great man not just in Uruowulu village but entire Obosi kingdom. He is the leading Ndiichie in Uruowulu. God has kept Chief Osakwe alive to reach 80years for him to transfer his wealth of knowledge to us and from us to the younger generation”, Obi said.
Barrister Obi further advised youths to embrace healthy living, live a good life free of crime and watch what they ingest if they intend to reach old age.
Moreso, Chief Sir John-Chuks Onwuazor prayed God to continue to shower Chief Osakwe with more years and good health saying that he has always known Odunkataukwunecheze as a man of integrity who does not take what does not belong to him attributing that to one of the reasons God blessed him with long life.
Also, Nze Chukwunwe Uyammadu(Akubude Ugeju) said he flew all the way from United States to celebrate with Chief Osakwe who paid his secondary school tuition fees from Class 1 to 6 when he came to live with him after the death of his own father praying God to bless Osakwe’s family with peace and good health.
However, the celebrant, Chief Osakwe, the founder and MD Pacific Publishers Ltd, Pacific Correspondents College &Press Ltd, G Wins West African Ltd who was beaming with smiles amidst friends, family members and well-wishers dedicated his 80th birthday celebration to God saying that it was the Grace of God that made it possible.
“Today I am celebrating my 80th year birthday. Oforka Agegrade celebrated ito-Ogbo yesterday at the field where over 100 of them were honoured with red caps by Eze Obosi as Ndi Ogbueshi but as a member of Ndiichie Obosi for over 40years I am not celebrating ito-ogbo but 80years birthday.
When asked the origin of Ito-ogbo Obosi, Chief Osakwe said: “My father told me that his father told him that his great grand fathers were told by their ancestors that God told them that Obosi indigenes will always live up to 80years before demise”.
“Any person honest, obedient to the laws of the land, living in contentment, love without greed and covetousness is likely to live up to 80years by the grace of God.
“There is subtlety in everyone but do not allow the craftiness in you surpass the good in you. I advise youths to shun get rich quick syndrome,eschew evil if they desire longevity,” Osakwe said.
Osakwe who was the former Anambra State Social Democratic political Party Chairman SDP that brought Late Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife into power as Governor further advised politicians to drop the greed to embezzle public funds but rather think on how to ameliorate the suffering of the masses at their own expense or sacrifice.
One of his sons, Kenechukwu John-Paul Osakwe, (Ugonabo Animanyi) CEO JP Ken Herald Ventures after eulogizing the good qualities of his Dad prayed God to keep him till 120 years and wished that God gives the family members the same opportunity he gave their Dad to enjoy long life, good health and prosperity.
