Arochukwu community, Abia State was a beehive of activities during the tail end of last week, starting from Thursday, 26th July to Sunday 28th July 2024. What's the occasion?
The Eze Aro, monarch of the ancient kingdom was being celebrated. Having received his Staff of Office, and coronated, the Aros, under the auspices of Nzuko Aro Worldwide and the National Coronation Celebration Council came together to put up a phenomenal coronation celebration that lasted for four days.
So, Aros across the globe, including friends and guests, packed their bags, bought their tickets and trudged home, to be part of a celebration usually witnessed once in a lifetime, as Eze Aro coronation does not happen often. So, having arrived earlier in the week, Umu Aro entered a delightful surprise, as Arochukwu Kingdom was adorned with colour, beauty and aesthetics in the spirit of the Coronation Celebration of Eze Aro the 9th, His Eminence, Dr Eberechukwu Oji.
DAY 1: July 26th
The event kicked off in grand style, with God at the top. It began on the bright Thursday morning, the 26th day of July, at the open grounds of Aggrey Memorial Primary School, Ibom, Arochukwu. Titled, "Inter-denominational Church Service, the event was a crusade where the event was dedicated to God almighty. Top among the men of God present include notable Ministers like Rev. Uma Ukpai, Rev. Dr Chidi Okoroafor and others.
Eze Eberechukwu Oji himself was present with his wife, Nneoma, the Ugo Eze of Arochukwu Kingdom. Remember that Eze Aro, despite being a foremost engineer, was also a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Addressing Umu Aro gathered at the event, His Eminence Dr Eberechukwu Oji vowed to reposition the Kingdom as one of the known leaders of the country while thanking God for his mercies on the journey so far since ascending to the throne. Mazi Oji stated that the lost glory of the Kingdom is back and he will do his best to work for the development of the Kingdom. His words "Aro will be repositioned and all the wealth and progress that left the kingdom will be returned. Aro will be a great kingdom. Our target is to make sure that what has never been seen, all the positives never seen before will be seen in our Kingdom.”
Officiating the dedication service, Rev. Uma Ukpai urged the people of Arochukwu Kingdom to give maximum support to the newly elected King for the development and peace of the entire community. He also declared that the Arochukwu Kingdom would be known as a University town. Side events at the Coronation Celebration crusade include medical outreach for residents of the community with residents and indigenes of the community trooping out to receive medical care.
The day was capped with the Coronation Lecture, which was delivered by Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary of The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). Speaking at the lecture held at Alpha Plus Hotel at Amuvi, Arochukwu, Orji pointed out that reforms always seek to interrogate the status quo and are inevitable as they are mostly driven by time and change. Citing Kuwait’s economy which he stated shares comparison in some cases with the Arochukwu Kingdom in its traditional rulership which is hereditary, Dr Orji pointed out that Kuwait is the richest traditional kingdom and is among the top three strongest and most highly valued currencies around the world, and pointed out that reforms are necessary to ensure inclusivity and exercise authority, especially in the issue of ascendancy in traditional rulership.
Dr Orji who spoke on the digital age and the challenges of convergence of Aro tradition and culture also drew attention to the reforms made by the British traditional Monarchy which abolished the primogeniture of Succession Law of 2013 and ended the preference of male children to the throne which then allowed the eldest child to ascend to the throne despite the gender.
“In the making of the recent Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, there are three major opinions which shaped the public debate. First is the argument which is firmly rooted in Aro oral tradition. They believe that the making of Eze Aro must adhere strictly to how it was in the 18th century and believe no reforms should surpass that in the 21st century.
“The second group opines that the making of Eze Aro in the 21st century should be beyond tradition and culture. These include scholars who are leaders in their rights and industries.
“The third argument centres on “Aro on the fence”. They are fully aware of the making of Eze Aro but appear excluded from the discussion and the process probably due to perceived social status. These people get their information through secondary sources and are more likely to listen to the opinion of their leaders to determine their roles in the affairs of the country.”
He urged maximum support for the royal family particularly those who seek the throne and pointed out that reforms do not mean losing what you have but making the best of what you have.
Appreciating the Chairman of the Occasion, the guest speaker and all the guests, Eze Eberechukwu Oji stated that the traditional stool of Arochukwu Kingdom is a sacred stool that is not just for the Kingdom but for the whole Igbo ethnic group. “There has been indirect rule in Aro before the coming of the whites. The Aros taught Igbos trade and commercialization. The Aros established a system of complex diplomatic growth before colonisation. The Aros provided help to communities who were facing existential threats from outside forces. Our forefathers were strong and so we are not strangers to leadership and rules. It is a false narrative that there was nobody in Aro when the whites came to our lands. These are our histories and nobody can take them away from us.” Eze Eberechukwu added that the traditional stool of the Aro Kingdom would be made number 1 in the country and beyond. “We are confident in our history, pedigree and also confident in where we are going,” he concluded.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion Professor Maxwell Ogbulu, the Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, ASUU, ably represented by a Professor of English and Literature at the Abia State University, Uturu Professor Godwin Emezue, stated that change is a constant thing but people should concentrate on the past, present and future of Arochukwu Kingdom and choose what they would want it to be.
Also present at the event was the Eze Aro, His Eminence Eze Eberechukwu Orji and his Ugoeze, Professor Okoro Ijoma, Dr Oji Ogbonnaya Oji, Dr O.J. Nnanna, Mazi Emma Kanu Ivi, Prof Steve Amaramiro, Mazi Emmanuel Nwadeyi, Eze Ibom Isii, Mazi Nnanna Oji, Mazi Ike Okoronkwo, Mazi Dozie Udensi, President General, Nzuko Arochukwu, the leadership of the women’s wing, Nzuko Arochukwu, Engr Goddy Ijeoma, Mazi Jocy Nkemakolam, Dr Kanu Ohuche, Mazi Anicho Okoro, Dr Azubike Okoro, Mazi Okey Imuoh and other dignitaries.
DAY 2: July 28th
The second day of the Coronation Celebration saw the outpouring of masquerades from across Arochukwu and beyond, with cultural dances and troupe gathering together. They gathered at Amaikpe Square, the ancestral and traditional ground of Arochukwu Kingdom to celebrate Eze Aro. The very colourful event was witnessed by both guests and Aros who converged in thousands to feast their eyes with the grand show.
Masquerades like the Ekpo, Atu Eje Ogu, Ojukwu Ugbo, Ajim of Amuvi, Omoba, etc. came out to entertain the audience. Musical and traditional groups like Nde Abba, Ojojo and other musical groups from across the 19 villages that make up Arochukwu also were around to grace the event. So, it was a potpourri of traditional shows and entertainment on Day 2.
DAY 3: Grand Finale
The Grand Finale was held at the Arochukwu Civic Centre, Oror, Arochukwu. While the Coronation Grand Finale was getting set, the Executive Governor of Abia State Dr. Alex Otti ,OFR arrived Arochukwu Town, and commenced commissioning of projects.
First, he was at Arochukwu Local Government Headquarters which was executed by the Mayor of Arochukwu LGA, Mazi Joe Ezearu. In his remarks, The Mayor of Arochukwu LGA, Mazi Joe Ezearu said that upon assumption office, he met the Council Headquarters in ruins and dilapidated state. He thanked Governor Otti for his unwavering support which he admitted made the renovation of the Council headquarters possible.From the Arochukwu LGA Headquarters, Governor Otti proceeded straight to Aro Civic Center.
Speaking at the ceremony, he commended Umu Aro for making the right and best choice in choosing His Royal Majesty Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji as the 9th Eze Aro of Aro Kingdom.
In his words, “I have no doubt that majority of Aro people are very happy with what is happening today. There may be one or two people that are not happy.
“Let me make one point clear, any society that does not have leadership is a cursed Society. And, leadership comes neither from the East, West, North or South. The Bible recorded that power comes from God. And at his own time, He makes things beautiful. “So, I will like to use what happened in Aro and recommend it to other societies. Why do I say so? Gone are the days when people choose the worst rather than the best as leaders”. “I want to say without any fear of contradiction that Aro people made the best choice. From what I have seen, from what I have read, from what I have heard about the 9th Eze Aro, he is the best in his class”.
“He is the type of leader that every society should aim to have. A leader that will invest in the community rather than stealing from the community, a leader that will show the light rather than initiating people into darkness, a leader that has a second address (a profession)”. Governor Otti thanked Aro people for their choice of king and wished the Eze Aro well in his reign.
The event attracted a lot of dignitaries, Government functionaries, illustrious sons and daughters of Arochukwu among others. In his speech, Eze Eberechukwu Oji also appreciated the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti for gracing the occasion, spiritual leaders and other dignitaries and urged all Umu Aro to join hands to write a new chapter in the history of Aro Kingdom.
Appreciating the Umu Aro from the Kingdom and Diaspora, Eze Eberechukwu reminded all indigenes that the throne belongs to everyone while emphasising on unity and growth. He then called on the Federal government of Nigeria to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, from his prolonged detention.
“The Igbo People, with their remarkable contributions and rich cultural heritage deserve a central place at the heart of our nation’s development. The release of Nnamdi Kanu will be in the interest of promoting peace and justice in Nigeria.”
Eze Eberechukwu stated that his aspiration is to see the full development and integration of the entire Igbo nation within the Nigerian federation. The 9th Eze Aro who stated that he is committed to fostering unity and inclusive environment, pointed out that collaboration and mutual support across the Eastern Nigeria land will unlock potentials that lies within every Igbo community.
The event was attended by the leadership of the traditional rulers council of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, captains of industries, some members and representatives of the federal executive, judicial and legislative arms of government, technocrats, distinguished diplomats, respected sons and daughters of Arochukwu kingdom, led by elite members of Ugwuaro, Ikemba and Adaugwu, Abia State executive, legislative, judicial and traditional leaderships, etc.
Day 4: Thanksgiving Service
The star-studded Coronation Celebration of His Eminence Dr Eberechukwu Oji was finally concluded with a Thanksgiving Service, conducted at the Redeemed Church of God, Arochukwu.
It was another gathering of Aro men and women, boys and girls, young and old, who came out en masse to worship God and express their gratitude for a successful Coronation Celebration.
They came with their friends, colleagues and associates from all walks of life.
At the service, which was attended by the monarch, who happens to also be a priest of God, the pastors, priests and other anointed men and women thanked God for such a successful event. They also dedicated the king to God, even as they collectively asked God to shower his blessings upon the land, forever.
