Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, His Eminence, Engr. Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, has accepted a special invitation to attend and actively participate in 2026 edition of African Traditional Leaders’ Forum scheduled for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The organizers of Africa Celebrates 2026 extended the invitation to His Eminence Eze Eberechukwu Oji – a First Class monarch in Nigeria – to feature as a Special Guest and Speaker at the event.
He is among the esteemed traditional rulers and cultural custodians from across Africa expected to converge on Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the maiden African Traditional Leaders’ Forum.
The forum, scheduled for November 10 to 15, will be held alongside the annual Africa Celebrates festival at the African Union headquarters.
Organisers said the initiative aims to provide a continental platform for traditional institutions to discuss culture, peace building, community leadership, heritage preservation, and Africa’s development agenda.
Africa Celebrates is an annual Pan-African gathering that promotes African culture, innovation, business, tourism, and enterprise. Since its inception, the festival has brought together government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, investors, and members of the African diaspora and development partners to explore opportunities for greater continental integration and economic cooperation.
This year’s edition in under the theme: “Strengthening Traditional Leadership for Peace, Culture and Sustainable Development Across Africa”.
The programme is expected to feature policy dialogues, investment forums, cultural exhibitions, fashion showcases, creative industry engagements, and business networking sessions.
Organisers said the addition of the Traditional Leaders’ Forum reflects growing recognition of the role of indigenous institutions in conflict resolution, cultural preservation, and grassroots development across Africa.
They said participation has been opened to traditional rulers, cultural practitioners and other delegates from across the continent.
The 2025 edition of Africa Celebrates attracted participants from 43 African countries and members of the African diaspora from 15 countries, with this year’s event expected to draw an even larger continental audience.
As a Special Guest and Speaker, Eze Eberechukwu Oji said: “I am deeply honoured to be invited as a Special Guest and Speaker at the African Traditional Leaders Forum 2026, holding from November 10 to November 15, 2026 at the African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“The theme; “Strengthening Traditional Leadership for Peace, Culture and Sustainable Development Across Africa,” speaks to the important role traditional institutions continue to play in preserving our heritage, fostering unity and contributing to the development of our communities and continent.
“As Eze Aro of Arochukwu Ancient Kingdom, I look forward to joining traditional leaders and distinguished voices from across Africa to share perspectives, celebrate our diverse cultures and explore pathways for stronger traditional leadership in Africa.
“I am honoured to represent Arochukwu Kingdom on this important continental platform.
“Ndi Aro, this is our heritage. This is our voice. This is our place in Africa,” His Eminence added.
