By Dr Innocent Chidumebi Okonkwo
The indigenes of Aguleri in Anambra East local government Area of Anambra State will on Wednesday, 10th July 2024 induct the members of OKPOKE age grade into the supreme Ndi Ichie society of the town.
The ceremony will also promote the members of Mgbadabuanu age grade to Ojiana Aguleri society while Ochunagaliekwolo age grade will migrate to Ojiana Uno Aguleri.
The Ndi Ichie Society of Aguleri is considered to be the highest decision making body of the town, admission into it automatically makes one a member of the ruling class in the town. OMT gathered that one has to attend the age of 90 years to qualify as a member and the current OKPOKE age grade members alive are all qualified to join the supreme decision making organ.
OMT gathered that Aguleri town believe that at such age of a human life people tend to maintain integrity, for the sake of their family members who regard them as role models.
Membership confers one the right to be the one to break kola nuts in family gatherings, and to give out daughters as wives to suitors in the family.
In an interview with Prof Michael Obiefune, the BOT Chairman of Aguleri World Forum, he said there is nothing fetish about the ceremony, which admits one into the society. He added that the ceremony mostly consists of prayers from other members of the society who come to pray for the new entrant for God to help them lead their town well, endow them with wisdom to make the right decision at all times.
"This year's induction is bitter sweet for me because these are my mother's Okpoke male age mates and friends being inducted ; my mother passed away 6 yrs ago." Obiefune concluded.
The event is scheduled to hold on Wednesday 10th July 2024 at Obu Gad in Enugwu Aguleri.