By ThankGod Ofoelue
Eze Aro Institutes Monthly Interactive Session of Eze Ogos, PGs
On Tuesday, 2nd April 2024, the Eze Aro had, in an effort to increase interactions and positive development, instituted the monthly interactive session of Ndi Ezeogo(heads of villages) and village President-Generals.
Others groups at the meeting included Nzuko Arochukwu (men & women wings), head of neighbouring Obotme community in Akwa Ibom State, Heads of Security Agencies in Arochukwu, Aro youths, as well as Presidents-General and Secretaries-General of the 19 village unions in Arochukwu.
At the maiden meeting, His Eminence Eze Eberechukwu Oji has enumerated the several benefits that are derivable from peace and unity in the community.
Addressing the gathering, he spoke about the importance of peace and unity, eschewing hatred and strife, which have ravaged Arochukwu with years of backwardness.
He lamented that Arochukwu has lost substance in the contemporary scheme of things at the level of state, national and international affairs.
Eze Oji made a pledge to restore Arochukwu Kingdom to its original glory. Recalling the reign of his grandfather, legendary Eze Kanu Oji, he declared that, the kingdom must move forward.
He therefore called on Ndi Ezeogo to make genuine contributions towards the development and unity of the kingdom, assuring that he would bring all Umu Aro together, irrespective of their divergent interests and views on Aro issues.
In their responses, Ndi Ezeogo formally congratulated Eze Eberechukwu Oji on his ascension to the revered throne of Arochukwu Kingdom.
In his own contribution, Mazi Nnadozie Udensi, President General (PG) of Nzuko Arochukwu (Worldwide) expressed delight with the impressive turn out of the villages and urged Umu Aro to pay the desired respect and honour to the Eze Aro, pointing out that the occupant of the throne is the symbol of Arochukwu Kingdom and must be respected at all times.
A resolution was made that Ndi Ezeogo and all PGs would be holding regular meetings to address the welfare of Arochukwu in particular, as well as the Ndi Ezeogo, among other things.
Also addressing the heads of security outfits at the gathering, including the Military, Police, Civil Defence and the local security networks, Eze Aro informed them that, along with the community leadership, it has become imperative that they put the security challenges in Arochukwu behind by applying proactive strategies.
Challenges facing the community were listed to include disputes with neighboring communities, armed robbery, indiscriminate use of drugs by youths, secret cultism among others.
Meghan Markle Becomes Ada Mazi of Arochukwu Kingdom in Lagos Ceremony
Although it preceded the Coronation Celebration, the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom had in May 2024 played co-host of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
According to a report by The Mail of UK, ‘Meghan Markle has been showered with love from Nigerian fans who have welcomed their ‘new princess’ during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit to the nation.
The mother-of-two was on Sunday honoured as an ‘Ada Mazi’ – seemingly a title of respect meaning ‘daughter of an aristocrat’ – of the Ancient Arochukwu Kingdom. Three Kings – His Eminence Engr Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro of Ancient Arochukwu Kingdom, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and Great Olu Of Warri Kingdom – took party in the naming ceremony.’
Nigerians on The Mail comment section made comments, commending the move. One wrote ‘our new Princess of Arochukwu Ancient Kingdom’, while another penned: ‘Ok my native tribe has finally represented with the “Ada Mazi” drape and the royal beads.
Alex Otti, Flavour Nabania, Others Join Eze Aro for Aro Day Celebration
Eze Aro had also hosted the Arochukwu Day Celebrations, a major event held in December 2024, and in the programme, His Eminence Dr Eberechukwu Oji extended invitations to the public.
The programme lasted for five days, starting from December 24 with the Festival of nine Lessons and Carols and peaking on December 27 when, under the auspices of Aro Kingdom Awards, 78 deserving personalities who have served the community and humanity were honoured.
Highlight of the programme was the arrival of the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti and members of his executive, and main side attraction was the presence of Flavour Nabania, who sang different songs to entertain the teeming crowd.
Eze Aro Takes Echoes of the Drum (Uda Nkwa) Theatre From Aro to Lagos
On December 28, I’m continuation of the Aro Day Festival, the Uda Nkwa, meaning ‘Echoes of the Drum,’ theatre performance was presented by Joseph Edgar, who produced it for live performance in Arochukwu.
The programme was held at the Arochukwu Civic Centre in the evening, with Eze Eberechukwu Oji playing chief host.
He explained that the story behind the performance was a renanctment of the life of his own grandfather, Eze Kanu Oji of blessed memory “We are honouring my grandfather, the late Mazi Kanu Oji, who served as the ruler of the Arochukwu Kingdom for 73 years. We warmly welcome all, especially the locals who contributed to bringing this production to life. Mazi Kanu Oji was an enigma—an epitome of intelligence, character, charisma, and integrity. These qualities resonate through the performance we will witness today.”
Uda Nkwa was to come to life once again in February, when at the Prime Chinese Restaurant in Lagos. Following the captivating theatre performance of “Uda Nkwa” at Terracotta, guests were treated to its a wonderful rendition of the performance, with of Urhobo performers, led by Olorogun Oskar Ibru, who energized the atmosphere with powerful rhythmic steps.
It was an evening of drama, history and good food, hard to forget. It was the story of one of Africa’s most iconic monarchs who ruled for 73 years, beginning from the days of the colonial government into the 1980s.
International Engagements
On October 22, 2024, His Eminence, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom was at Washington DC for a World Bank/IMF session.
The monarch, a petroleum engineer who had headed a major oil from in Nigeria, was invited by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) and the Afro-Caribbean Diaspora Alliance (ADA) to participate in the discussion entitled, “Powering Africa: Financing Gas-Powered Solutions: Fueling Sustainable Growth” during the World Bank/IMF meeting.
Earlier in April 2024, the Eze Aro had on the invitation of Umu Aro in Houston Texas, USA, visited the state to interact with his kinsmen.
During the visit, he robustly engaged Umu Aro in the diaspora by sharing his visions for Aro kingdom.
Skills Acquisition/Enterpreneurship for Aro Youths
In March 2025, Eze Eberechukwu Oji supported an Entrepreneurship Training Programme geared towards providing skills acquisition to Arochukwu youths in order that they may become self employed and financially independent.
The programme was organised by Open Arms Outreach Organization in conjunction with Royal Care Empowerment Foundation, at the Arochukwu Civic Center.
The Arochukwu Palace collaborated with Nzuko Aro Worldwide, along with the local government headed by the mayor, Hon Dr Chibuike Eze Aru.
The anchor person for the programme, the Very Rev Victor Sunny Onwumere who is also the Chairman, Arochukwu Christian Community .
Surprisingly, thousands of Arochukwu youths thronged the Civic Centre at Oror, eager to be trained in different skills for self development, sustenance and gainful employment. This humongous number of youths were privileged to learn the following skills – Digital Marketing and Al, Website Design, Graphics, Science, Interior Decoration and Event Planning, Solar Installation Catering/ Confectionery, Paint Making/ Application, Cosmetology and Agriculture. Participants were also presented with Certificates at the end of the programme.
Conclusion
As a result of a very robust year of activities, the 1st Coronation Anniversary is worth celebrating well.
It will be recalled that His Eminence, Eze Eberechukwu Oji was Coronated on 27th July 2024, in a ceremony that its grandeur and splendour still reverberated across Nigeria and indeed the World.
The Anniversary Celebration is billed to hold between 24th and 27th July, 2025, and will be topped with the 6th All Aro National Conference in Arochukwu as one of the major highlights of the event. It was envisaged that Arochukwu hosting the 6th All Aro National
Conference will be ‘Home Coming’ opportunity for our Diaspora communities to forge new pathways for purposeful engagement towards Unity, Peace and Development.
The Theme of 1st Coronation Anniversary Celebration is ‘Aro Renaissance: Consolidating Gains and Charting New
Frontiers for Aro Kingdom Unity, Peace and Development”. The Theme of the Anniversary celebration gives appropriate context to the need for continuation of efforts at deepening ‘Aro Renaissance’ and identifying and exploring new opportunities that will enhance sustained unity, peace and development of Aro Kingdom worldwide. It is also designed to capture the pedigree, personality and the vision of the New Eze Aro as the custodian of Aro culture, customs, traditions and socio-cultural development.
The Celebration is designed as a 4 day-Carnival starting from July 24th and ending on July 27th, 2025 as the Grand Finale with the following –
DAY 1: July 24, 2025—Open Air Crusade and Medical Outreach at Ibom Primary School
DAY 2: July 25, 2025 —All Aro National Conference ( AANC 2025) with the theme, ‘Repurposing Aro
Diasporan Relationships for Peace, Unity and Development’. Venue of the Conference is Aro Civic Centre, at 10 am.
A Coronation Anniversary Dinner will be hosted by Nzuko Aro at Alpha Plus Hotel and Suites, to feature traditional Aro original cultural delicacies.
Unveiling the Membership and Inauguration of Newly Constituted Special Aro Development Committees by His Eminence is the highlight of the dinner. The Committees include: Arochukwu Road Infrastructure development Committee, Arochukwu Water Works and Rivers Management Committee, Arochukwu Environmental beautification, waste management and
Environmental Sanitation Committee, Arochukwu Sports Development Committee, Arochukwu Agriculture and Food Security Committee.
DAY 3: Saturday July 26 2025— Coronation Anniversary Celebration at the Aro Civic
Centre starting from 10am.
DAY 4: Sunday 27 July, 2025
• Coronation Anniversary Thanksgiving Church Service at RCCG, Amannagwu. Time is 10 am prompt.
Leadership of the Central Planning Committee of the 1st Coronation Anniversary include
1. Mazi Obi Chijioke (Ugwu Aro)- Chairman
2. Mazi Ikechukwu Okafor ( Ugwu Aro) –
Vice Chairman
3. Mazi Zulu Ofoelue- Secretary and Zoom meeting coordinator.
Leadership of the Central Planning Committee of the 6th all Aro National Conference are
1. Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa— Chairman,
Central Planning Committee
2. Mazi Dr. Kanu Ohuche, who is the Secretary General of Nzuko Aro—Deputy Chairman, Central Planning
Committee
3. Mazi Prof. Okoro Ijoma- Chairman Lectures
4. Mazi Anicho Okoro- Secretary , Central
Planning Committee.
ThankGod Ofoelue, a member of the Eze Aro Media Team writes from Benin City.
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