In this interview, His Eminence Dr Eberechukwu Oji bares it all in this exclusive interview.
He spoke about the traditional selection process that chose him as the 9th Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, the economic propriety of the Arochukwu people and the criticism and backlash he faced especially with the disagreement from his cousin Godwin Kanu Oji, and how he plans to bring a lasting peace to the kingdom.
Excerpts:
How do you feel today especially with the rigorous journey so far?
I am very excited about my journey so far. It’s amazing to see how God made it possible for Arochukwu to have a king. I truly believe that everything is possible through God. I witnessed the hand of God, and I prayed that His will be done. Since then, I’ve continued to experience the amazing presence of God in my life.
During the coronation, it rained that week. However, as soon as the coronation event started, the rain stopped. Some people attributed this to the rainmaker, but I believe it was the hand of God. There were predictions of heavy bloodshed, but thankfully nothing of the sort occurred, so I am grateful for everything.
There have been some concerns about the selection process that led to your appointment as the 9th King of Arochukwu Kingdom, causing division among the people. How do you plan to bring lasting peace to the kingdom?
I am a peaceful person. People will always talk, and it mustn’t be the same. As Eze Aro and a peaceful person, there must be peace in the Kingdom. People predicted that there would be a lot of death and mortuaries would be filled up, but none of it came to pass. No one is God.
I have completed all the necessary steps for the selection process. The videos posted on social media show how the selection was conducted. In our family, the oldest member, Okwara Ezi, is the rightful heir to the crown. The individual chosen will undergo an investigation. The current candidates are Dede Oji and then my father Mazi Joshua Oji. Fortunately, both of them have reached the required age. As my grandfather always said, “Aro is not ruled but led.” Many people in our family advised the rightful heirs to step aside for the younger generation. Although it was difficult for them as it was their heritage, they eventually agreed.
We were faced with the question of who would represent us among the people. We approached the Okennachi Kindred and asked for their help in the selection process. Each family in our household nominated a person. In my household, two people were nominated, but it was decided that only one person could go. My elder brother gave me his blessing to go. Our younger brother wasn’t interested and pulled out, so it came down to me and my cousin Godwin. We went to the sacred tree for prayers and vowed to support each other regardless of the outcome. Later, we appeared before the council and were asked various questions, including whether we would support each other if one of us lost to the other.
To be honest, Godwin said it would be hard, but he would support me, and I said I’ll support him if he is chosen. If one of us had said we wouldn’t agree, then there would be no reason to continue. I was told to step aside, and he conversed with the Okennachi Kindred. He was asked to call me, which he did. All these were recorded. We were later asked to step aside. They asked each other who they chose. Among the seven Okennachi Elders, five voted for me, while two voted for Godwin. This is not a question of two and three, but it was five versus two.
My cousin Godwin angrily left. Since then, so many things have been said. They said ‘I cannot be king when my father is still alive’ but the Okennachi Kindred told them that it was too late to raise any opposition. Are we going to kill Dede Oji and Mazi Joshua who originally the Crown belongs to? Our fathers gave their blessing to their children. In the past, the Kings go to war so what will happen if you give the kingship to an aged man when war comes?
A prominent son of Arochukwu Kingdom, Sir Chikwe Udensi has had a lot of things to say about your selection process, do you have a response to his criticism?
Honestly I’ve no response because he never said those things to me. In Aro, you don’t talk at the back of a man so I don’t listen to those things. If anyone wants to speak to a man, you face him and say it. As Eze Aro, Mazi Chikwe Udensi is a great son of the soil. If you ask him, he will tell you I’ve seen him countless times and I’ve taken my wife to see him. We have no issue at all. If you have heard anything, it is no issue.
Your Eminence, during the Coronation lecture, Dr Ogbonnaya Orji stated that the Arochukwu people are no strangers to trading with the whites especially the Portuguese, do you have any intention of reconnecting with the Portuguese to boost economic prosperity?
We have mentioned this several times: this is the time for the Arochukwu people. Our son is the governor of Abia State, and by God’s mercy, I have become the Eze Aro. I am the grandson of my grandfather Eze Kanu Orji, who ruled for 73 years. We come from a highly revered lineage. I am not aware of any kingdom where a monarch ruled for 73 years. We know our worth. This is the time for Aro, both economically and otherwise. In just one year, we have launched the Okobo road from Arochukwu to Abam, with the support of the Governor of Abia State, an illustrious son of Arochukwu. Two weeks ago, we commenced the construction of the Arochukwu-Ohafia Road, a Federal Road that had been neglected for years. On Monday, we will be launching the illumination of Arochukwu tagged ‘Light Up Arochukwu’.
While it was initially meant to light up all of Abia, we are starting with Arochukwu as a pilot. Arochukwu is poised to become like Dubai. Also on Monday, we will be launching the Ikeji empowerment program for youths. There has been an announcement that the South Eastern University is coming to Arochukwu. All of these developments have taken place within just one year, so one can only imagine what progress can be achieved in two years.
In other words, this is the time for the people of Arochukwu.
In history, we have heard about Mary Slessor and the abolishment of twins, do you have any intention of immortalizing her for her humanitarian work?
We are going to work on several things, one of which is inaugurating a number of committees on Monday. One of these committees is the Arochukwu Tourism Development Board or Committee. This committee’s task is to identify all the tourism potential of the Kingdom and develop it. Mary Slessor’s story is very interesting, and the board will focus on not only immortalizing her, but also on maximizing the potential of the work she did here.
What about the discrimation on twins and slavery (ohu)?
Let’s be clear, there’s no discrimination in Aro. Most of the discussions on it are what I call vestiges of history. My grandfather, Mazi Kanu Orji, dealt with that matter comprehensively and with God’s help, he did it as his daughter gave birth to twins afterwards. From the traditional point of view, that issue has been dealt with, so there’s no discrimination. In Aro, whether your father or grandfather was a slave, as long as you are a member of that family, you are accepted.
When I refer to vestiges of history in our traditional customs, there are certain things and places that may not be relevant to everyone. If there is a specific agreement that applies only to certain members of the community and you do not belong to that group, it is wise to avoid getting involved. If you go there and are informed that you cannot be part of that group, it is not considered discrimination.
If someone leaves their lane to join another lane and the people in that lane tell them that they can’t be in their lane, that’s not discrimination. For example, in our family, the kingship issue is our internal matter. It only went to Okennachi Kindred because we couldn’t agree. If you are not from Okennachi or Ndi Oke, this matter does not concern you. Getting involved in it and then being insulted or criticized is not discrimination. In life, wisdom suggests that if you have a lane, you should stay in it.
Do you have any words for the youths of Arochukwu Kingdom?
As I said earlier to the youths of Arochukwu Kingdom, this is our time. Arochukwu is trending and every Aro son or daughter should flow with it. This is the moment to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that come with being from Aro. Anything that is associated with Aro right now will be popular and successful, and that’s the truth.
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