By Anya C. Anya

The Abiriba Enachioken yesterday 7th of July, celebrated their annual ” Itu Eye” ceremony to mark the beginning of another year in the ancient kingdom. The ceremony saw the picking of the palm leaf”Iburu omu” by the Ukejiagbala ( Okezie Age Grade ).

While speaking to AFNEWS at the ceremony , The Enachioken of Abiriba HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu said “the Abiriba Ancient kingdom is well over 600 years and so also has the ” Itu Eye” been in existence for over 600 years and usually celebrated at the village square, last year it was The ” Ugojiaku Age Grade that pick the palm leaf and this year it is the Okezie Age Grade that will be in authority “.

According to the Enachioken of Abiriba HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu ” The Abiriba Ancient kingdom is rooted in age grade , 13 Age Grades is expected to stay as watchdogs at the village square Every time but the highest among the Age Grades is called the ” Ukejiagbala and has the responsibility to enforce and implement rules and regulations as outlined by the Enachioken and other Prince of the kingdom for a period of one year until the next ” ITU EYE ceremony , we therefore wish them well in this assignment “.

“Itu Eye” is a traditional law enactment period in Abiriba. It is a time when new laws are made in the Abiriba ancient kingdom by the Enachoken of Abiriba and others. Namely the Effa of Agboji , Paramount Rulers of Ameke and Amogudu since Abiriba is tripartite in nature . This laws are therefore handed over to an Age Grade to enforce and execute.

While receiving the palm leaf on behalf of Okezie Age Grade who are the current “Ukejiagbala” Hon. Agbai Osiri aka ” gentle Rabbi ” who is the President General of the Okezie Age Grade appreciated the Community for such a great privilege given to them to serve and promise that the Age Grade will do her best to justify the confidence repose in them.

Also among the Okezie Age Grade receiving the palm leaf is the member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Prestige Chinedu Ossy, whose participation added glamour to the event. While discharging his responsibility at the occasion , HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu (Enachoken the 4th) read out the resolutions of the community, as the new laws that will guide the society in the traditional new year in company of the Paramount Rulers of Agboji and Amaeke. When the traditional ruler reads out any of the resolutions, the people will chorus their agreement in unity while the Enachioken throw down a palm leaf (omu) as a seal for the law prompting the Okezie age grade to pick the palm leaf (omu) to show their readiness to enforce the laws.

Hon. Prestige Chinedu Ossy who spoke to AFNEWS during the occasion thanked God for giving him life and good health to partake in this event ten years after his age grade took part in the “Igwa Mang” tradition. He noted quite clearly the obvious contribution of Age Grade to the development of Abiriba and ask other igbo Communities to copy it . ” Virtually, every project you see in Abiriba is through the help of Age Grades and more are still coming. ” He concluded.

Other members of the Age Grade include Chief Andy Uba Obasi who was the Ex President of Aba Chamber of commerce and Aba Sports Club . He used the occasion to encourage everyone to pursue peace and unity as that is the only thing that will move the community forward.