Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Former member of the House Representatives, Honorable Uche Onyeagocha, has advocated for a return to the age grade system in Igboland.
Onyeagocha said this as a guest speaker of the September edition of Ikengaonline Town hall with the topic: “Shaping Future Leaders: The Role of Political Grooming in South-East Governance.”
He said that the return to the old age grade system was germane to the grooming of future Igbo leaders.
According to him, the age grade system was one of the means leaders emerged in Igboland, adding that it is grassroots oriented.
“The age grade system brings competitiveness, it brings equality irrespective of who you are, whether you are a billionaire or a millionaire as long as you are in midst of your age grade, everyone is equal.
“Again people have the tendency to move along with their peers. Whatever you age mates are doing you are challenged to follow, it is an enabler.
“I am a strong advocate that we should bring back our age grade system,” Onyeagocha said.
The former Secretary to the Imo State Government, described the people of South-East as dynamic and egalitarian in nature, adding that they don’t like worshiping individuals because of his or her position or status.
“Igbos are republican and egalitarian in nature. Igbos don’t worship and adore kings and rulers. That’s our culture.
“Everybody in Igboland tries to be on his own and to do things his own way. Igbos are dynamic and very industrious,” he said.
He added that the Igbo business mentorship system has been embraced and applauded by people all over the world.
Onyeagocha also said that Igbo sons and daughters who attended early schools in the South-East were more conversant with Igbo culture and tradition more than those who schooled outside the region.
According to him, all these affected the grooming of future leaders in the South-East geo-political zone.
Ikengaonline reports that the monthly Ikenga Town Hall zoom meeting is now in its third year and regularly organised by the Ikenga Media & Cultural Awareness Initiative (IMCAI) in collaboration with Macarthur Foundation through the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism.
