Oote Anam: Age Grade System Must Drive Community Development Effort —Udefi
Mr Samuel Udefi, the President General of Igwebuike Anam Age Grade in Anambra West Local Government Area has said the age-grade system in Anam must evolve from social gatherings to a major driver of community development and welfare.
Udefi who is also the Chairman of the Umuoba Anam Development Council (UADC), Awka Branch, made the call during the 2026 Oote Anam celebration hosted by Mmekoka Age Grade, Umuoba Anam in Awka on Sunday.
He said the age grade system was once a powerful instrument of community administration, welfare and development urging members of the group to rise to their expected role in the society.
Udefi, who is the Head of Works Department in Awka South Local Government Council lamented that some age grades (Otu Ogbo) had lost that orientation.
“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.
“Today, many of our age grades have become social clubs only, we just meet to dance, pay levies, and go home,” he said.
Udefi said the development challenges of Anam in the area of water, electricity, education, healthcare and youth empowerment offered age grades an opportunity to reclaim their developmental role.
He said it was still possible for the age grade to be more than a social club adding that Igwebuike Anam could become a visionary, structured and accountable development institution.
He recalled that the group already had a scholarship and education empowerment programme where it distributed writing materials to primary school pupils across Anam’s eight communities.
He said a unified WhatsApp platform had been created to bring Anam’s eight communities under one development umbrella as part of effort to achieve the objectives.
“Through Operation Light Up Anam 2023, we provided solar-powered streetlights across the eight communities.
“We have “Water Is Life 2026” project, under which boreholes are expected to be installed across the eight communities by December.
“We also operate welfare mechanisms that provide members with soft loans based on monthly contributions, empowerment assistance and support with hospital bills.
“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.
Udefi urged age grades to prepare three-year development plans and undertake at least one flagship project covering areas such as education, healthcare, empowerment or infrastructure and also to collaborate with town unions, churches and government agencies.
He also proposed transparent community development accounts, suggesting a 60 to 40 allocation between development and welfare, with annual publication of financial statements as well as use of social media channels to engage Anam indigenes across the world.
Udefi challenged Mmekoka’s Awka Branch to use its strategic location in the state capital to support development at home.
“You are in Awka, the seat of power, I proposed that the branch sponsor at least 10 students annually and adopt the Umuoba Health Centre and establish youth mentorship programmes.
“When Awka Branch leads, the home Branch will follow. That is leadership,” he said.
Describing Oote Anam as more than a cultural festival, Udefi said the New Yam celebration represented homecoming, unity and 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.
Earlier, Mmekoka Age Grade Chairman, Umuoba Anam, Awka Branch, Mr Uchenna Anizor, said the event was designed to celebrate Oote Anam while bringing members together to discuss how age grades could deliver meaningful community service.
Anizor, who is also President-General of Umuoba Anam Community, commended Udefi and described Igwebuike Anam’s leadership initiatives as worthy of emulation.
The celebration featured the unveiling of Mmekoka’s official muffler and decoration of members, performances by the Mmekoka Age Grade and Umuoba Anam Ogene Music Group, and solo performances by Ejike Ogara and Nkpeodili Azuanuka.
