It was a moment of joy and reunion for people of Osile village Ogbunike in Oyi Council Area as both the young and old gathered at the Ilo Akpaka Osile to celebrate maiden edition of Ito Ogbo of the community.
The Chairman of Osile Ogbunike community, Ogbuefi Chukwukadibia Okoye in an address said the aim of organising the event was to respect and honour the aged in their community noting that old age is a blessing and a thing of joy.
Ogbuefi Chukwukadibia who said the one hundred and seventeen celebrants, who are between eighty years and above one hundred years, were picked from three age grades in the community, namely, Ogbo Ositadimma, Ogbo Igwebuike and Ogbo Government, thanked God for his mercies and benevolence upon them and prayed God to continue to bless the community with the gift of longevity, thanking two worthy sons of the land, Dr. Emmanuel and Ikenna Okeke for sponsoring the event.
The oldest man in Osile Ogbunike, Pa. Felix Obiaghananwa, aged one hundred and five years, expressed joy for experiencing the celebration in his lifetime and thanked the executive of the village for initiating the event.
A retired army officer, Sunday Ekwegbalu and Mrs Felicia Amaife who were among the celebrants thanked God for the peace in their community calling for its sustenance.
Some prominent sons and daughters of the community including, the former first lady of Anambra state, Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, Chiefs Ernest and Elochukwu Gwacham and Lady Maureen Gwacham, congratulated the celebrants and prayed for lasting peace in the community while one of the financiers of the event, Dr. Ikenna Okeke stated that they are not the richest in the community but they derive joy in assisting humanity and wanted their community to be recognized in parts of the world.
Earlier in a homily during the holy mass which ushered in the event, Reverend Father Innocent Egbunike of Saint Michael Catholic Church, Ogbunike urged people to always have good intention, stand on the path of truth and avoid desecrating the land to reap full blessing of God and attain old age.
Reverend Father Egbunike who sued for brotherly love among the people, urged the youths to always listen to the elders and shun evil stressing that everlasting blessing follows any leader with good intention.
The event featured prayers by the oldest man in the community, Pa Obiaghananwa, Presentation of certificate of recognition, cash and food items to the celebrants, presentation of plaque to Dr. Ikenna and Emmanuel for their community service, traditional dances and masquerades display.
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