A popular adage – ‘kings are made, not elected’ -summarises the idea that royalty is established through lineage, divine appointment or conquest and contemporarily shows off the appeal through enlightened reforms, strategies and strides of the selected.
That could be seen in the just concluded four-day Coronation Anniversary Celebration of Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro the 9th of Arochukwu Kingdom. It was a time for display of pomp and panoply of the Kingdom, its heritage, tradition and modernity of the throne in the 21st century.
In 2025, under the theme; “Aro Renaissance: Consolidating Gains and Charting New Frontiers for Aro Kingdom Unity, Peace, and Development,” the four-day event, which kicked off with an open air crusade held at Aggrey Primary School field, Ibom Village on July 24, showed the unity in religious diversity and the role of tradition in it. Under the auspices of the Interdenominational crusade, Christians of all denominations came together to worship God for His mercies on Arochukwu Kingdom. During the service, the Guest preacher, Pastor Amass Ezekiel, urged the congregation to join His Eminence, Eze Eberechukwu Oji, to worship God and seek His continued light in the kingdom.
Preaching on the topic ‘Let There be Light’, he highlighted the changes that envelop a home when there is illumination and called on the people to eschew all forms of evil that might obstruct the light of God from taking over the Kingdom.
Affirming the position, Eze Eberechukwu Oji stated that the kingdom is experiencing the immense mercies of God, and emphasised that with the repositioning of the kingdom, there’s no reason for backwardness.
Medicare for the people
The event also featured a medical outreach, which kicked off as early as 8 am with over 300 people already seated. There were Pharmacists, Optometrists, and others who diagnosed the patients and dispensed prescriptions and suitable glasses for them.
At the end of the exercise, thousands of people were able to receive free medicare, especially women, children and senior citizens.
All-Aro National Conference
On the second day, the kingdom held an All-Aro National Conference at the Civic Center, Oror Village.
A once-in-five year event, the last one was held in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State.
The conference encompasses all Aros living in the home stead and the Diaspora, including Aro Ajalli, Aro Ikpa, Aro Ngwa, Arondizuogu, Aro Owerre, Aro Ajatakiri, Aros in Kogi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom State and others, in Equatorial Guinea and other countries. This shows the shared diversity and unity of Arochukwu.
The conference started with a keynote address and the first paper presentation by Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa on the topic ‘Consolidating Gains and Charting New Frontiers for Arochukwu Kingdom, Unity, Peace and Development.’ Subsequently, Mazi (Dr) Chima Dike presented the second paper on the topic ‘Divided by Geography and Politics but United in Noble Ancestry: Sustaining the Aro Economic and Leadership Essence,’ Mazi (Hon.) Ejike Nwankwo presented the third paper on the topic ‘Aro Kingdom and Its Diaspora: A Shared Vision.’
The fourth paper was presented by Mazi (Professor) Joseph Nwankwo on the topic ‘Leveraging on Aro Dialect Revival in our Diaspora Communities to Promote Our Cultural Heritage.’
Dr (Mrs) Olanma Ojukwu presented the 5th on the topic ‘Aro Tourism,’ leveraging on the shared vision of Eze Eberechukwu Oji to make Arochukwu Kingdom a destination for tourism and vacations.
The sixth paper was presented by Mazi (Dr) Kanu Ohuche, addressing the topic ‘The Political Renaissance of the Aro Kingdom: Awakening and Mobilizing the Aro for Political Engagement’ while the last paper was presented by Dr Azubike Okoro on the topic ‘Continuity and Change in Cultural Practices as a Model for Managing Conflict in Aro Kingdom: Lessons from History.’
While Dr Ohuche commended the people on its political reawakening, he urged the Kingdom to have honour rolls to honour sons and daughters of the Kingdom who have done well in political offices keying into the performance of Governor Alex Otti within two years in office, Dr Okoro reeled out resolution levels and approaches to conflict management within the community as experienced and shown through history of the Arochukwu Kingdom.
The day was rounded off with a dinner held at Alpha Plus Hotel, Amuvi, where four development committees were established by Eze Eberechukwu Oji to tackle the challenges facing Aros and also reposition the kingdom to serve the people and to harness the talents of all Umu Aro through development approaches and focus.
Unique Aro regal splendour
On July 26, the Coronation Anniversary proper, the Kingdom came alive with regal splendour and cultural magnificence to honour a monarch whose reign has already begun to leave an indelible mark on Arochukwu’s heritage and progress.
The day kicked off with the arrival of guests from the National, State, and local governments. Monarchs from the North, West, and East joined to celebrate the anniversary of Eze Eberechukwu Oji.
According to Mazi (Engr) Obioha Chijioke, Chairman of the coronation anniversary planning committee, the “Godly Monarch has surpassed the expectations of the people, and his greatest achievement is fostering unity and peace in the kingdom through purposeful leadership.”
This was greatly seen in the pomp and pageantry with which the people of Arochukwu Kingdom trooped out to celebrate the first anniversary of Eze Eberechukwu Oji.
Royal entry
Eze Eberechukwu Oji, who marched into the centre with all the pageantry that can only be seen in a well travelled King, stated that the Aro Kingdom Sovereign Wealth Fund would be launched to harness resources and utilize them to invest in critical sectors of the economy such as agriculture, tourism, economy and positioning Arochukwu as the economic powerhouse of the South East region.
He also revealed plans to use the Royal Care Empowerment Foundation (ROCARE) to support the needs of the less privileged in society, including provision of healthcare, education, skills acquisition and economic support to vulnerable families.
Audacious conflict resolution strategy
He stated that one of his greatest achievements so far is to revolutionise the judiciary system, which ensures that conflict resolution now commences from the Ezi (compound) before going to the Ogo (village square).
He stated that Eze Aro now has a platform that was created to converse with all Umu Aro at home and in the Diaspora, to make sure that every Nwa Aro belongs to the transformation going on in the kingdom. He cautioned against strife and dissonance, while encouraging peace and togetherness.
Nzuko Aro P-G
The President-General of Nzuko Aro Worldwide, Mazi Nnadozie Udensi, said that the ceremony was not only to celebrate His Eminence but also to celebrate a year of cultural renaissance, visionary leadership and the reaffirmation of Aro identity.
Felicitations, thanksgiving service
One of the major highlights of the event was the goodwill messages from the Federal and State governments, business friends, and associates, including Nollywood actor Yul Edochie, who graced the occasion.
On the final day of the event, Eze Eberechukwu Oji, who worshipped at the Redeemed Christian Church of God Amannagwu, Arochukwu, where he also pastors, hosted a thanksgiving to thank God for His mercies and benevolence for the past year and His continued guidance for the coming year.
He reflected on his understanding of the significance of being alive in light of Arochukwu traditions. “In our culture, when you offend the gods, you are required to take an oath that lasts for a year. If you survive, you are deemed innocent; if you die, it is assumed you were guilty. I am filled with joy today because we are alive.”
Reaffirming his slogan ‘light has come’, Eze Eberechukwu Oji said that a different type of light has illuminated the kingdom, adding that peace has returned.
He commended Umu Aro for the continued support and prayed for more progress on all sons and daughters of Arochukwu Kingdom.
Thus, the four-day celebration of Eze Eberechukwu Oji’s coronation anniversary was not merely a royal festivity. It was a bold affirmation of identity, legacy, and collective aspiration.
Arochukwu, once the nerve center of Igbo civilisation, is poised to reclaim its place in Nigeria’s cultural renaissance, guided by a monarch whose heart beats in rhythm with his people.
As the kingdom enters the second year of Eze Aro’s reign, the message is clear: tradition lives, and Arochukwu rises.
