A new Eze-designate has been chosen by the people of Aro ancient Kingdom, in Abia State.
According to reports made available to Jungle-Journalist.Com, Pastor Ebere Chukwu Eni, a grandson of the late Mazi Kanu Orji who led Aros for 73 years on the throne, emerged last night (18th October) at a selection event in the kingdom.
Recall that since the passing of Mazi Vincent Okoro, the immediate past Eze Aro, there has not been a new Eze to succeed him.
Jungle-Journalist.Com learnt that a committee of seven elders was responsible for the selection process which culminated in the emergence of the new Eze.
Before the voting process, one of the candidates had stepped down in favour of Pastor Ebere Chukwu Eni, and after screening of all interested candidates, two persons, including Mazi Godwin Kanu Idei and Pastor Ebere Chukwu Eni.
During the final voting process, Pastor Ebere Chukwu Eni received more votes, while Mr. Godwin Kanu Idei got only two votes. As a result, Pastor Chukwu Eni was declared the new Eze designate of Aro Kingdom.
The new Eze Aro-designate, Pastor Ebere Chukwu Eni has also invited members of the Oror community, Arochukwu who are solely responsible for choosing new Ezes to a meeting. At the gathering, he appealed to all and sundry to give him the needed support during the days before he is formally presented to the entire Aro Kingdom as the new Eze Aro.
The process will also involve their accompanying him to Utughugwu, the Royal Community of Arochukwu, to formally present him to them, before he is taken round to Eze EzeAgwu’s palace before the final crowning at Ibom Isii.
Jungle-Journalist.Com has also gathered that there are pockets of debates raised, due to the emergence. This is mainly due to the fact that Pastor Ebere Chukwu Eni’s father, Pastor Joshua Kanu Orji is still alive. In Arochukwu tradition, it’s considered unusual for someone to become an Eze while their father is still alive. This has led to debates about what to call Pastor Chukwu Eni – should he be addressed as “Nwamazi” or “Mazi”?
The last Eze Aro, Late Eze Aro, Mazi Vincent Ogbonnaya Okoro, CFR, ascended the famous ancient throne of Aro Kingdom in 1995. He was, in 1988, chosen to ascend the throne of his forefathers but was not officially crowned the Eze Aro until 31st May, 1995, about 7 years in waiting. He died 25 years after at the age of 89 in 2021.
Eze Okoro was preceded by Eze Mazi Kanu Orji. He was born in 1900 and died in 1987.
He reigned from 1914 – 1987, thus ruling for 73 years continuously. He remains Nigeria’s longest monarch to ever reign in history. Late Mazi Kanu Oji was crowned Eze Aro in 1914 at age of 14, but he could not take full control of the throne until he attained a full age of 21. That was in 1921, exactly 7 years after his coronation. It was then that he performed his first important public function as Eze Aro as he chaired, for the first time, a vital meeting of Aro Traditional Leaders Council.
The emergence of Ebere Chukwu Eni, 102 years later will surely mark a major turning point in the history of the foremost ancient Kingdom the Igbos.