Chidiebele Obika | I-Witness News
Anambra state stakeholders comprising Traditional rulers, Presidents general of communities, the clergy, commissioners, legislators, youth and women under the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide – Anambra state chapter have called for the reactivation of the Igbo Apprenticeship system popularly known as ‘Igba Boi’.
The calls were made yesterday, at King David Hotel in Awka, during the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Anambra State Chapter town hall cum end of year meeting organized by the President of the chapter, High Chief Chukwuemekalum Udodeme (Odegba).
Chief Chukwuemekalum Udodeme in his opening address pointed out that Ohanaeze ndigbo was very important in discussing everything concerning ndigbo.
Decrying the moral decadence and issues of get-rich-quick syndrome, he informed that people now kidnap their kits and kins and keep them in the bush and request for ransom. ” People will legitimately make money, and want to build house, his people will frustrate him by requesting youth development levy. These are the issues.
” Its only in ala Igbo that the rich and wealthy hide themselves for the fear of criminals. This is a very bad development. Igba boi lifted Ana Igbo. Ndi Igwe have a role to play. People now carry out traditional functions in lagos and other places. Our religious people should help too.
He called on the people to stop aiding criminals by concealing their identities because according to him, if the people fail to expose the criminals, one day the person-people shall fall victim(s) of such criminality.
Delivering a paper on Igbo Apprenticeship System, the keynote speaker and Anambra State House of Assembly member representing Aniocha II, The Rt Hon. Ejike Okechukwu dwelt extensively on the topic.
He noted that Igbo money has history. According to him, ” You can be a trader and become wealthy or through igba boi or you went to school and started civil service job. There should be traces of your wealth. No legitimate wealth is made overnight. Once these people make illicit money, the first place they go to is church for sundry awards and honours and our mothers help in hiding them. we need everyone to be part of rewriting these wrongs.”
” Yahoo yahoo is criminality. Aside defrauding white people, these thieves now defraud their kit and kins. They kidnap for ransome for as low as fifty thousand naira now. We all know the criminals. What have we done to stop this ugly trend?, he rhetorically asked.
” We have formal and Informal education and studies have shown that informal pattern of education work more for us than formal. For example, someone who learned auto repairs (mechanic) and someone that studied mechanical engineering are not the same. The one that learned it will do far better dismantling or assembling engine parts than the one that studied it.
Chief Okechukwu revealed that he sponsored a bill in the house of Assembly called the Anambra igbo apprenticeship program 2024 and that the bill had passed the 1st and 2nd readings respectively and expressed optimism that between now and February next yeat that the bill would be passed into law.
Furthermore, Rt. Hon. Okechukwu informed that the bill when passed into law and assented to by the Governor, that provides for a body corporate that will be known as Igbo Apprenticeship Commission where everything about Igba Boi will be formalized including getting diploma awarding institutions in the state to award diplomas to successful apprentices who had served their masters, database of umu boi and their masters, attract incentives from the Governor and several others.
In his brief comment on the topic, Chief Orpet Nwakpadolu (Omeluoha Aguata) who according to him served his master and was settled clarified further that young boys learn ethics, family and moral values through the Igba Boi system.
” Boi teaches everything. When your oga starts a business for you, it is from the gains you made from that shop that you would be settled with. But our young people nowadays prefer yahoo yahoo, kidnapping and others to legitimate means of making generational wealth”
He offered deep insight into the Igbo Apprenticeship system and noted that “the system still holds the key to rewriting the wrongs in the society.”
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Alex Onukwue who was the former National President of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) expressed happiness to be in the midst of the people. He noted that Ohaneze being the mouthpiece of ndigbo has a role to play in reactivating the Igba boi system which he observed was one of the keys to arresting the get-rich-quick issues currently facing the Igbo nation.
Highlights of the event were the presentations of awards to
(1) Chief Mrs Amaka Obi (Iyom Ifeabata)
Award: Awarf Preforming Local Government Mayor/Chairman 2024
(2) Dr Alex Obiogbolu
Award: Best Performing Special Adviser 2024
(3) Swn. Dr Vicror Umeh (OFR)
Award: Best Performing Senator 2024
(4) RT Hon Sir Ikenna Ofodeme
Award: The Most Active Member Anambra State House of Assembly.
(5) Amb Dr John Metchie
Award: The Best Performing PG on Infrastructural Projects 2024)
(6)Engr Dr Felix Odimegwu
Award: Excellent Leadership Award 2024)
(7)Barr T N Akpudo (Egbe eji gbu Agu)
The Most Vibrant National President General ASATU
(8)Dr Nwabufo Nwankwo (DIKEORAH)
Award: Excellent Public Service Award 2024
(9) RT Hon Dr Paschal Agbodike
Award: Best Performing House of Representatives Member 2024
(10) Hon Uche Okonkwo
Award: Best House of Representatives Member on Infrastructure and Community Projects
(11)Dr Sir Kevin Chukwumaobi (MD Apams limited )
Award: (ENTREPRENEURIAL ICON OF THE YEAR 2024)
(12) Barr Theodora Igwegbe mni (Head of service Anambra State )
Award: (Excellent public service Award )
(13) Chief Emma Ojukwu (President General Alor)
Award: (Community service Award)
(14) Prince Sir Eloka Anene KSC
(Okaibie Eziowelle) Chairman CEO Linea group LTD
Award: (Outstanding businessman of the year 2024)
(15) Chief Celestine Anere (MD Ocha brigade)
Award: (Excellent public service award)
(16) Engr Emeka Okonkwo (MD ARTMA )
Award: (Excellent public service)
(17) Chief Ossy Onuko (MD ACTDA)
Award: (Excellent public service)
(18)Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu
Acting Nat’l youth leader Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide
Award: (Ohanaeze Ndigbo outstanding youth leader )
(19) Dr Mrs Nonye Soludo (First lady Anambra State)
Award: (Humanitarian service award)
(20) Chief Anthony Maduka
Award: (Community service Award)
(21) Chief Akai Egwuonwu (Zara stores Awka)
Award: (Community service Award)
(22) Chief Collins Nwabunwanne (Ife Anam)
Hon commissioner for local government, town unions and chieftaincy matters
Award: (Best performing commissioner 2024)
(23) Chief Don Ebubeogu (Chairman CEO Tiger Foods Ltd )
Award: Outstanding businessman of the year 2024
Other dignitaries that attended the occasion include; Hon Harris Okonkwo, former MHR, Prof. Echezona Ifejirika rep Igwe Umuchu, Igwe Simon Edozie obidike, Igwe Ikem Ivite, Igwe Francis Ezeodibeve, Igwe Nando. Bishop Okereke Osmond, Arch Bishop Michael Chukwujekwu., Igwe Sir GO Ekwealor, Obeagu II Igwe Umuoba Anam, Odoziaku, Amaka Ikwuka, National VP Ohanaeze womens wing, others
