Hurrahs for Obosi octogenarians … as Eze Iweka celebrates 2nd Longevity Festival

In Nigeria, life expectancy is currently put at 54 years. But, in Obosi, Anambra State, those living above 80 years are ever increasing. This year’s Ito-Ogbo Obosi Festival,

which held on Saturday, March 14, at the Adike Stadium, Obosi, was another opportunity for the Obosi Monarch, Eze Chidubem Iweaka III, and the Obosi indigenes to revel in ecstasy, as the town celebrated the Asika Age Grade born 1934-1936.
In a season of political campaigns and posters, for once, the posters of politicians were eclipsed in Obosi with the imposing, colourful posters of the town’s 180 octogenarians from the Asika Age Group everywhere. Children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and relations of the celebrants, spruced in traditional fabrics, accompanied theirs to the venue. Songs and drumbeats resonated across the land. Festivity was in the air. It was infectious.
For the families of the Asika Age Grade, in particular, joy went beyond the telling. The arrival of Eze Iweka and his wife, Ezenwanyi Kosiso Iweka, at 11 am, was heralded with customary gun salutes. It was followed by paying of homage by Ndi Ichie Obosi, Ndi Nze na Ozo, Out Enyi Nwanyi Obosi, Ndi Iyom Obosi, Ndi Nze bu Ego Obosi and other leaders to the monarch.
The Ito-Ogbo Obosi music, composed by Nkem Emodi, boomed across the arena. An anthem, produced by Ebuzi Mbemena for the Asika Age Grade followed, to the admiration of the crowd. Thereafter, the LOC Chairman, Ito-Ogbo Obosi Committee, Chief Hyman Udemba, in his address, welcomed everybody to this year’s festival. It was the second Ito-Ogbo Festival under the reign of Eze Iweka (Ito-Ogbo is usually held once in three years).
“We will like to express that we are glad to present them for maximum capping honour in Obosi Kingdom, having relentlessly served the community as an age grade since their formation,” he said.
He informed that the occasion would witness the declarations and positive pronouncements from Eze Obosi to the celebrants, bestowing on the octogenarians the much expected honours as senior citizens of Obosi Ukwala. Henceforth, he said, the octogenarians would be addressed as Ogbueshi (for the men) and Nwanyi Nokwudo Eshi (for the women).
“Obosi is proud to take care of and nurse the gift of the old age. We are proud to take care of and nurse the gift of old age,” he said, adding, “We are proud of our aging parents and consider them rare and blessed generation.”
In his speech, Eze Iweka restated that Ito-Ogbo Obosi is a culturally valuable celebration of old age in existence for centuries. From the olden days, he noted, it was prevalent in Igbo land to celebrate the aged, a practice the Obosi people also attached great value and respect for.
“The ancients in Obosi Kingdom, therefore, introduced Ito-Ogbo at 80 as a celebration of maturation, an expression of oneness with oldness and a tribute to geriatric fulfillment,” he remarked, noting that elderly people in many societies are often neglected, ridiculed and even abused, their wealth of experience and knowledge lost by the naïve and belligerent new generation, yet longevity is always prominent in everyone’s fervent supplication.
The triennial festival, he reiterated, bestows great honour to the aged men and women who have reached the enviable age of 80. Hence, the titles of Ogbuesho and Nwanyi Nokwudo Eshi “are awarded to the celebrants while their grey hairs are beautifully adorned with red caps and specially designed caps for men and women respectively.” Interestingly, the red cap is an exclusive preserve of titled High Chiefs in Obosi Kingdom.
As customary in Ito-Ogbo Obosi, all the octogenarians of Asika Age Grade were henceforth exempted from taxes and levies in the town. The monarch also exempted them from all mandatory appointments in Community service, save for Sir J.O.S Amobi, the 96 year old, who has continued to be active in community service, pointing out that, “that activity is essential in the extension of life.
The Igwe also doffed his hat for the Adazie Obosi, Chief Emeka Anyako, former Commonwealth Secretary General, who, at the age of 80 and above, “is still a globetrotter, internally acclaimed in his indefatigable service to humanity.” A day earlier, Chief Anyoku, at the Obosi Town Hall, had presented his latest book, The History of Obosi.
Though the longevity festival is meant to celebrate the aged, it has underlining moral and social lessons for the youth. Eze Iweka spointed out that the celebrants did not attain the age of 80 and above by reckless living and abuse of alcohol, hard drugs, chemical substances and indulgence in cultism.
He emphasized thus: “Long life is supported and assisted by clean healthy living, adequate exercise, balance and moderation in all things edible. The youth must always show love and respect for elders while striving to tap the good attributes of their vast knowledge and experience.”
Aside thanking Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, for his innovative work in the state, the monarch specially thanked Ogbueshi Tolu Ogbo, Ogbueshi Chi, Ndi Agbala Nze na Ozo, Ndi Iyom, Ndi Isi Mmuo, Council of Age Grades, Ndi Ogbo, Ndi Out Ome n’ani, Obosi Development Union, among others.
Popular Nolly actor, Amaechi Muanagor, a native of Obosi, commended Eze Iweka for hosting another Ito-Ogbo festival and encouraged all indegines to support the festival. The Ito-Ogbo Festival proper began thereafter with the Traditional Prime Minister, Chief Ernest Ojiaku, decorating the Asika Age Grade with traditional caps.
Eze Iweka, who spoke subsequently, announced the donation of a 300 AV transformer by Honourable Obinna Chidoka, a Federal House of Reps PDP aspirant, to the Obosi people. Commending him for the gesture, the Igwe noted that the transformer would be mounted in an area that needed it most.
The cutting of the Asika Age Grade’s cake was done by the Asika executive, flanked by their predecessors, the Udoka Age Grade, and the Irugo Age Grade, who is next in time for celebration in three years’ time. The latter also invited all to the forthcoming celebration. Traffic at Obosi came to a standstill at the end of the festival, as the celebrants and their families danced away in merriment to continue the celebration at various homes.
Speaking to Daily Sun at his palace moments later, Eze Iweka said this year’s Ito-Ogbo Festival lasted shorter than his maiden outing because of the need to enable the celebrants move to their homes early, entertain their guests and let them leave before nightfall.
“Generally, this is an improvement on what we had last three years. It gets better by the year,” Eze Iweka told Daily Sun.