CENTENARY YEAR: Methodist College Uzuakoli Old Boys Association
*We thank Uzuakoli for being a wonderful host… Mazi Okoroafor
In their bid to express their unreserved gratitude to their host, as well as promote their culture, the Old Boys Association of Methodist College Uzuakoli, in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, has participated in the 2023 famous Ilaoso-Uzuakoli festival.
The epoch-making annual cultural event which was made colourful with the presence of the Old Boys Association, attracted the presence of sons and daughters, alongside friends and well-wishers of the community.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with
famousreporters.com, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor, the immediate past National President of Uzuakoli Methodist Old Boys Association, explained that the institution which was established in the year 1923, had existed in the community for a hundred years.
Speaking further amidst euphoria and gratitude, thanked the people of Uzuakoli for providing them with a tranquil and enabling environment, which according to him, had prompted the famous institution to produce so many prominent sons of Igbo land.
He enumerated some of the prominent sons of Igbo land and other ethnic groups, who were products of the great institution, among whom were the famous Dr. Michael Okpara (late), Clement Ison, Rufus Obi, etc, as he urged the present generation of students of the institution to remain studious, saying the sky shall be their starting point.
Mazi Okoroafor described the people of Uzoakoli as a peaceful and wonderful host, having accommodated them for many centuries, pointing out that: “We’re here today, celebrating the grand finale of Ilaoso- Uzuakoli, a famous cultural festival of the people of Uzuakoli. It’s been here for centuries.
“And for the first time, an institution, Methodist College, Uzoakoli is participating in Ilaoso- Uzuakoli, because we decided that, having been here for a hundred years (100years), Methodist College was established in Uzuakoli in 1923.
Continuing, the prominent son of Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, said: “This is our Centenary year; we said we would use this occasion to thank the people of Uzuakoli for being such wonderful hosts. And also to help in promoting their culture and in pushing this to make it one of the key activities in the world.”
Corroborating, the National Secretary of the Association, Engr. Okechukwu Mark Nwokoro, in his ecstatic mood, stressed that the Association had decided to celebrate her 100th year anniversary by participating in the Ilaoso-Uzuakoli festival.
“Coincidentally this year’s famous Ilaoso-Uzuakoli festival falls on the same of the Centenary year of the prestigious institution, Methodist College Uzoakoli
“And for the first time in the Ilaoso-Uzoakoli, we used it as an opportunity to give our gratitude and thanks to the host community, Uzuakoli, for all of us that passed through this great institution and what the institution has made us to be today. We’re coming back to say thank you by participating in Ilaoso-Uzuakoli 2023, being our Centenary year.
He went further to explain that the festival was an age-long cultural event celebrated by the people of Uzuakoli.
According to the illustrious son of Uzoakoli, the earthshaking event is a retirement period, is also a period during which the five clans of the community, namely: Nze-Eluama Uzuakoli, Amankwo, Amamba, Agbozu and Ngwu take the census of the community’s demographic population.
“It’s done annually; it’s a year wherein the communities in Uzoakoli take the census of our demographic population, to know the number of people who got married newly and those who recently gave birth.
“Before now, when there was no record, it was this festival that the people used to know when each child was born during the celebration of Ilaoso-Uzuakoli. It is also a year of retirement where an age grade takes a bow in community service. They retire and new people will take over. It’s something that has sustained the community in terms of planning their growth and development.”
He further revealed that the cultural event which has contributed immensely to fostering the development, growth, progress and unity of the community.
Hear him: “Because it’s very participatory, the various five communities that make up Uzoakoli usually take turns to organise this epoch making event.
“The people of Nze-Eluama Uzoakoli take the first turn, then followed by the Amankwo community; after which Amamba will take their turn, followed by Agbozu and then finally Ngwu will take their turn.”
“Then, a few days later, we have the grand finale which is by Eluoma. During this time, everybody will gather at Achioba. So, it helps in the peace and unity of the place”.
Among the members of the Association in attendance were Hon. Chief Emmanuel C. Ndubuisi, the member representing Bende Constituency, in the Abia State House of Assembly, Engr. Godswill Enwere, the President-General of Eluama, in Bende LGA, etc.
Meanwhile, highlights of the historic event were cultural displays by different age grades, while the climax was a performance by some elders who played the Ancient Wooden Drum (Ikoro) with the arrival of the revered elephant.
