The age grade system is the livewire of Amaekpu and indeed the entire Ohafia community.
Below is a highlight of the metamorphosis of the age grade in Amaekpu.
PHASE ONE (1856-1879):-Consist of Age Grades that fought and
captured slaves for the Aros, the Uzuakoli and Uburu slave markets Akwunkpi,
Buiakwan, Ncheina, Anumkpu, Idima And Okezie.
PHASE TWO:-Consist of Age Grades that provided the fortress for
Ibin Ukpabi along the lower West banks of Cross River through which the
British Colonial master came.
PHASE THREE:-These were Age Grades that were engaged by the British in
carrying hammocks and cutting foot paths from Unwana to Arochukwu. This was
the earliest stage of community development under colonialism -Egwuana,
Adinti, Azumini, IniOkon and Onarubi. They were also involved in the Amaekpu – Ebem War.
PHASE FOUR:-This consists of Age Grades that marked the turning point from warriors to community developers as shown below.
PROJECT EXECUTED
Agbala lkoro
Amankwu Hall
Obu Agent
Bell Tower
Brass Band
ObuEkpe
OfaliAgwu School
Pipe Borne Water
Onyirimba Road
Tower Clock (the tallest functional tower clock in Nigeria)
Town Hall (Upstairs)
Library (Upstairs) Sub Treasury
Classroom Block (Upstairs, comprising ten classrooms) Town Hall (Upstairs)
PHASE FIVE:-Consist of Age Grades that engaged in two Community
Development Projects – Iza Afa and Ota-Omu. They are as follows;
AGE GRADES
|1. |George |
|2. |Company |
|3. |Agent |
|4. |London |
|5. |AnuMkpu |
|6. |AnyaAfumba |
|7, |Lucky |
|8, |Okezie |
|9. |Union |
|10. |Onyirimba |
|11. |Ugwumba |
|12. |Obimba |
|13. |Okaomea |
|14. |Enyimba |
|15. |Ikejimba |
|16. |Akajiaku |
S/N AGE GRADE 1.Asomba
Ifemba
Ugomba
PROJECTS EXECUTED
Asomba Hall (Okpocha Square) Izafa
Asomba Shopping Plaza (Motor park) Otaomu
Ifemba Road Iza-Afa
Water bore hole (Amukwa)
School Hall (OGS) Otaomu
Ugomba Road Iza-Afa
Village Square Pavillion Otaomu
Udomba Udomba Road (NdiAlum to Ifemba Road) Iza-Afa
Modem Classrooms Block (Upstairs -10 classrooms) Otaomu
Agumba Agumba Road Iza-Afa
Modem Classroom Block (Upstairs -10 classrooms) Otaomu
Akajimba Akajimba Road (Mba Offe Road) Iza-Afa
Modern Classroom Block (Upstairs -10 classrooms) Otaomu
Ifuruaku ifuruaku Road (OGSS-Okagwe Road) Iza-Afa
Housing Estate Otaomu
Atuegwu Atuegwu Road (Ugwu Oji Road) IzaAfa