Agwu bu Agbara keteru Akọ na Uche, it is the traditional force that inspires creativity and disseminates knowledge. Our ancestors believed that to grow in knowledge and creativity, one needs to embrace their Agwụ.

The traditional system of doing this is called Ịrụ Agwụ. It is a ritual process that initiates individuals into the frequency of Agwụ. The various types of Agwu one has can come from one’s lineage or one’s ọnye-uwa. This means, when you come from the lineage of farmers or traders, your lineage Agwu will be attuned to farming, and through its provision, it will disseminate creative ideas on how you can improve your craft.

Why do I call Ịrụ-Agwu Learner-Centered?

This system of Education is focused on the Learner. It is focused on passing practical information to the learner.

Institution that have perfected this is the traditional Igba Boi(Igbo apprenticeship).

This system of education can also be found within the family. It is a system through which a father passes on knowledge of his trade to his son, and the son also transfers an improved version of that knowledge to his son and the generations down the line.

The benefit of this system to Ndị-igbo is its practicality. It involves a practical understanding of the trade and not just theoretical investments, which we are currently championing in our various academic schools. This system helps revolutionize industries. This means, when a father is teaching his son a trade, he is doing it with the hopes that he creates more modern ways by which he can execute it, hence, the practical lessons the apprentice is learning.

As Ndi-Igbo, we all know that Agwu moves through the family line; therefore, it’s easier to induct people into the family trade, but we still have people who do not fit into what a family is known for, and this means their Agwu comes from their Ọnye-uwa. Therefore, through Ịgba Agụ, families determine where a person should be and channel their Agwu correctly, and they do this immediately the child begins to show attributes of difference and interest in other crafts.

The problem I can say the modern Ndi-Igbo is passing through is our conviction that we need to compete and do things the way other tribes or races are doing things, and by so doing, we separate ourselves from this educational system that gives us a chance at winning the foundational and economic race. That being said, we need to look deep into Iru Agwu and explore ways of centering learning/education that can improve and boost innovation.