Man, 91, welcomes wife into octogenarian club

Posted by admin Headlines Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Nine years after Pa Ogbueshi Raphael O. Adibe, 91, joined the revered octogenarian club in Obosi, Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State dubbed Ito Ogbo, his amiable wife, Ogbueshi Nwanyi Benedette Nwaelie Adibe, has also made it into the group.

The Obosi community organises a cultural festival every three years when all those who attained 80 years within the period are celebrated. For those who attained the age, a cow is slaughtered individually irrespective of whether the celebrant is rich or poor, blessed with a biological child or not.
Where the celebrant and his or her children cannot afford a cow, the larger family will contribute to mark the attainment with the quality of celebration it deserves.

While Pa Adibe celebrated his attainment of 80 years (Ito Ogbo) in 2003, his wife Ogbueshi Nwanyi Adibe joined the prestigious Ogbueshi group few weeks ago, having just attained 80 years of age.
Daily Sun spoke with Pa Adibe and he spoke eloquently on life at old age and what Ito Ogbo means to an average Obosi man or woman. Excerpts:

Your wife was among those who were honoured and received into the prestigious Ogbueshi group. What does that actually mean?
Yes, my lovely wife Benedette today joined the group of elders that attained the age of 80 years and, therefore, followed others in Ito Ogbo Obosi. What it means is that she has attained the age that is not only respected, but celebrated in Obosi. Obosi has a tradition to once in every three years, fish out all those that attain 80 years of age and above within the three years, honour them and celebrate what God has done in their lives, especially in the area of longevity because it is not all people that attain that age before their demise.

In this part of the country, it is natural that men are older than their wives. Have you celebrated that enviable 80 years of age and if so when?
Yes, I am now 91 years of age and I celebrated my Ito Ogbo in 2003. I was 82 years of age when I joined the league of Ogbuefi in Obosi. The Ito Ogbo comes up only once in three years and that was why my own came up while I was 82. I was born precisely in April 1921. My wife’s Ito Ogbo came up exactly as she became 80 years. It is not always the same with a lot of people. Some people do it at 81 and some others at 82 years of age. It does not really matter, what matters is that the person is alive and the world is made to know through this age long celebration that he or she has attained 80 years on earth.

Ogbuefi, when did you get married to your wife Ogbueshi Nwanyi Benedette?
We got married in 1947 and have been living peacefully in love since then in spite of our old ages. She was a damsel when I married her and whenever I see her up till now I still see her as being in that youthful age. That perception has continued to sustain the love and affection and we remain so knightly tied and inseparable.

Neither of you looks the age that is ascribed to you, both of you look very young and healthy, what is the secret?
I think the secret revolves around mutual love, mutual understanding, peaceful co-existence, good welfare and, of course, the ultimate which is God himself. God has been so much on our side and has demonstrated that by His divine provisions. God gave us good health, granted us true love and understanding, gave us eight children: seven men and one lady. All of them are still alive today except one and they are all married and have their own children. At present, apart from my seven children still alive, I have 33 grand children and five great grand children. With all these, you can agree that God has not denied me of anything good.

What were your early days like?
I lived a very humble life, married when it was due for me to get married. I worked as a foreman in John Holts at Enugu and retired almost at the beginning of the Nigeria civil war in 1967. I just managed to train my children because I did not have much. That is why only one of my children who is now a pastor in one of the Pentecostal churches went to university while the rest of them engaged in other trades. Thank God that by His grace each of them is doing well in his or her own field.

What was your wife engaged in while you people were training your children?
My wife was a house wife, but also engaged in petty trading to help in providing for the family. Her main job was to keep the house and look after the children. Those two responsibilities are enough work for anybody, but she was also saddled with the responsibility of doing petty trading.
Can you trace the history of Ito Ogbo in Obosi, this festival that the community regards so highly?
Ito Ogbo in Obosi is a very old cultural festival which, of course, has come to stay. It started in the year 1855 by Ogbuawa Ogige Age Grade. Since 1855 when it started, it has remained the biggest festival in Obosi and everybody looks forward when it should be his or her turn to do it. Each of the age groups go by a particular name. The group that is celebrating this year is the Udoka Age Grade. It is coincidental that their Age Grade name Udoka (Peace is better) rhymes with the return of peace in Obosi. You know that for a long time Obosi was in crisis, but peace has returned with the crowning of a new traditional ruler now in place. Who says there is nothing in a name? I really think there is a lot in a name even as it could be found in the Holy Bible.

Ogbueshi, having endorsed humility as virtue, how much of it have you been able to imbibe in your children?
It is normal for parents to give out what they have to each of their children. I think my children easily manifest a great degree of humility which I have no doubt they learnt from us their parents.
What would you advise some communities who have not found it expedient to honour their aged ones?
I advise all the communities in Igboland in particular and Nigerians in general to adopt the Obosi style of Ito Ogbo celebration. That is one of the best ways any community could be appreciate God for granting its people longevity.

-Sunwp_posts