By Dr Azubike Okoro
Death dealt a big blow to Arochukwu Kingdom in the out-gone year with the demise of some of her eminent sons and daughters who are being buried this season. It was indeed tragic as Umu Aro at home and in the Diaspora grieved over the spate of deaths of prominent indigenes. It’s no news that the community is blessed in abundance with sons and daughters of substance who have proved their mettle in various spheres of life.
What is rather news in the recent past, and quite disturbing also, was the rate at which these prominent persons were being lost to death, and the sequence at which the incidence occurred.
Nations, the world over, have prominent personalities who attained the status of being a major part of their sources of identity and prestige. The Aro nation is not different and a key characteristic of this group is that they are always scare, occasional and truly gifted in whatever calling of life they find themselves. So, when they are lost in droves, it expectedly creates a sense of despair among citizens of the nation.
A few years back, Arochukwu Kingdom witnessed something that fits this depiction when it lost Professor emeritus, O C Nwana in the United State of America. Mazi Nwana, a consummate Aro, discharged a usual role he always undertakes for the All-Aro National Conference before his demise. It was a starting ceremony for the 5th conference in the series held at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, in 2020.
Not quite long after, another iroko fell with the demise of Professor Chukuwemeka Ike, the traditional ruler of Ndi Ikelionwu, erstwhile Registrar of WAEC and a foremost novelist.
While Aro Kingdom was planning to accord the duo deserving rites of passage amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the most unexpected, being the call to eternity of Mazi Dr Jombo Ofo, happened. Darkness fell at noon in the kingdom given that Mazi Jombo, erstwhile President-General of Okennachi Kindred, was not known to be sick before his death.
With prayers and supplications to God over the death of its rare and scarce stock still going on, another unexpected news broke, IKEOGU, Chief Dr Arthur Agwuncha Nwankwo, was invited home by Heaven.
And a couple of months later, Professor (Mazi) Chris Aniche Okorafor joined the league of departed.
What could be the sin of the kingdom? Is divine intervention not required? If not, what else could soothe the devastated emotions of Umu Aro? Questions, questions and more questions!
Similar thoughts as these flashed through my mind when news about the demise of several eminent Aro sons and daughters broke in 2024 and as their burial ceremonies were being planned in 2025.
It’s a sad moment indeed but we remain grateful to God for their lives and enviable contributions to our civilization and development. Each had a deep knowledge and sagacious intellect and displayed same in diverse ways towards reinventing our cherished values, culture and civilization.
Mazi Chris Ukpabi – an embodiment of Aro heritage goes home!
As a youngster growing up in Arochukwu, Mazi Chris Ukpabi was a foremost elite through whom Aro legacies were built and sustained. A house-hold name among most Aro, he was such a significant personality that his aura traveled far and wide and Umu Aro were always pleased to have him around during ceremonies. A few of the things that made him very remarkable included his philanthropy, wealth and carriage. But it was in ‘social wealth’ or community interaction that he excelled.
Mazi Chris Ukpabi was mmadi–mmadi (humanity personified). He always hosted and took care of people, including seeking out the needy and indigent members of the community and providing them succor.
When building a magnificent house was an index of wealth, Mazi Chris Ukpabi was a forerunner in erecting a house that became a cynosure of attention as people travelled from near and far to admire the house whose architectural design included a natural ecosystem that incorporated green technology even before it was in vogue.
One had not visited Aro then until he or she saw the home of Mazi Chris Ukpabi to behold his ‘dream house’, as journalists would describe mansions beyond normal description.
However, it was his ample social wealth and carriage that gave him pre-eminent personality. A friend to everyone – lowly and mighty – the ever beaming smiles on his handsome and boyish face goes to acknowledge his friendly mien and a ‘big boy’ ready to socialize with his people.
During a particular Ikeji Aro festival, the master of ceremony sighted him walking into the arena and invited him to the stage to greet Umu Aro.
Trust Mazi Chris Ukpabi, he courted the associated thrills and encomiums, walked majestically as the crowd cheered. But it was what the MC said when he got onto the stage that electrified the audience the most: “Mazi Chris Ukabi, Aro is not saying that you will be blessed; rather Aro is saying that you are already blessed and will remain blessed forever by God’’. At that instance, both in dance steps and money, Mazi Chris Ukpabi acknowledged Aro handsomely. And, that is quintessential Chris Ukpabi.
May Heaven repose your soul and bless Arochukwu with more of your unique types.
Ajalli without Prof Humphrey Nwosu – the glamour is gone!
From the United States of America to Abuja, and finally, Ajalli, Anambra State, the world community stood up in honour of a man who left indelible footprints on the sands of time. A man who had tremendous respect for intellectualism and Aro heritage, Professor Humphrey Nwobu Nwosu was a top-notch academician and an icon of our cultural legacy.
Indeed, one of the glamorous and legendary figures of Aro Diaspora that represented the Arochukwu Kingdom very well locally and internationally. A little trait of Aro identity was sufficient to extract rich knowledge from his vast reservoir and even people he hitherto knew not, could secure audience and assistance.
His enormous works as a bureaucrat while serving the nation as head of its electoral umpire have become landmark reference materials globally for those interested in researching into the history of governance.
Ikeogu, Chief Dr Arthur Nwankwo, the sagacious scholar and Aro irredentist won’t stop discussing how intellectually deep Professor Nwosu was and I would relate to him, during our numerous engagements at the Chancery, New Haven, Enugu, my several encounters with Prof, while studying at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Being a Sociology and Social Anthropology scholar in the 1980s at University of Nigeria, I was opportune to be in the same faculty with Prof Nwosu.
Apart from occasional meet-and-greet on campus, to which he would readily acknowledge, though without direct intimacy, it was his engagements with us during symposia at Prince Alexandria Hall that showed his erudition and implanted great impressions about him on us.
“Do you want more, do you really want more…”” are usually his questions after he would have used several vocabularies to describe situations (some, of course, we won’t understand unless with a dictionary) and set the audience afire, his dramatic hand gestures raising the ovation higher. Those sessions were always great sights to expect and behold, and made his name a house-hold one in the University community.
A foremost civic person, he always wasted no time advancing issues that furthered the civilization and traditions of the kingdom. An ambassador extraordinaire of the Arochukwu Kingdom, Prof Nwosu was one elite among the many who dedicated all they had to the growth and development of the ancient kingdom and the sustenance of its revered cultural identity. No wonder that his burial at Ajalli recently was a “carnival of sorts’’ with the entire community showcasing his philanthropic deeds and several initiatives that brought out clearly the essence of his title: Okaa-Omee N’Ajalli. Indeed, the glamour is gone.
Now, with his exit, one hopes that his dream for a united Ajalli will not be allowed to die. Arochukwu Kingdom, particularly the presence of His Eminence, Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro IX at the burial, plus several eminent Umu Aro, including Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti, Ugwu Aro Ejike Nwankwo, the amiable son of the late sage, Mazi Nnaemeka Nwosu, Okaa-Omee N’Ajalli 11, amongst a host of others, clearly indicated readiness to continue in his strides by working towards a united Ajalli as a testimony and credit to the cause he stood for while alive.
Mazi Sunday Charles Onyeador – the sudden exit of a communal person!
The demise of the affable and amiable Mazi Sunday Charles Onyeador drives home the truth that though death is a certainty ordained by Heaven, its occurrence always evoke emotions that are hard to suppress. And, the reality that this is usually the case if the departed left cherished and memorable experience.
In the instant case, the loss is even more emotionally damaging because it involves someone with a good spirit and outstanding community relationship.
Aside from visiting ‘Aro Ivuonu’ (he loves that name so much) in his Maryland residence, we were always in communication, especially whenever he was in Nigeria or when I travel to the States on vacation.
We had an ongoing discussion about his interest to relocate to the country but somehow, I didn’t reach out to him while in USA last November, which was out of character.
And, my several discussions with Dr Okey Onyeador and Mazi Chris Onyeador never veered into his direction, only to get news of his death in France on my home trip.
Obviously, we have lost an impeccable character who meant well for many – family, relatives, friends, colleagues, community, Christian groups, the needy, etc.
We served Amuvi together in the context of Amuvi Development Group, a novel community development organization initiated by the erstwhile president-general of Amuvi Welfare Union, tasked with bridging the yawning gaps in infrastructural deficits in the community.
ADG meetings could be fun at times, as peers, who are professionals and experts in diverse fields, marshal strategies from various perspectives on how best to deal with the many challenges confronting the community. Mazi Charles Onyeador had the unenviable task of leading the finance committee whose job is to source for funds to meet our needs.
ADG Chair and most members would always yield to him to layout funding strategies and, trust Mazi Charles Onyeador, he would marshal his plans and speak passionately about them that everyone would be convinced.
As nothing would be done unless funds are found, we relied on his strategies to achieve most objectives, and the education and training project which I chaired, got substantial financial uplift based on his hard work, dedication and commitment to our goals.
When Eze Ogo Amuvi, Mazi Thomas Nlenanya Okoroji wanted to celebrate 20th anniversary on the throne, many people opted for silver jubilee celebration at 25 years.
However, the traditional ruler had his reasons, so pleaded with a few individuals and it took the acceptance of Mazi Charles Onyeador to chair the planning committee for it to work.
The above instances typifies the essence of who Mazi Charles Onyeador was, the quality of his relationship with people, hence how poorer his exit has left many.
A team player, he mixed freely and interacted effortlessly and his mastery of local nuances, traditions and cultural observances were quite unique. He was forthright, forward looking and bold, always caring and willing to see people around him excel in various endeavors and remained proud of their achievements. Adieu, Aro Ivu Onu.
Elder Mrs. Mercy Okoro Ezumah (nee Ivi) – a saint of God departs to eternity!
A few people have the exceptional trait of being “all things to all men’’, just as the holy book enjoined believers. The humility that radiates around Mrs. Ezumah won’t let you correctly place her social status in the society. Not to talk about her hard work and commitment to industry. Indeed, her multiple roles and her ability to excel in all was a huge source of learning for the youths who always admired her focus and ability to impact people around her while multi-tasking.
An educationist who attained the zenith of her career by becoming a school principal, she impacted knowledge to students and managed institutions with remarkable skills that she left credible footprints in her educational career.
Mrs. Ezumah was a pioneer in event management and catering services in Arochukwu and made a huge difference when her honesty and integrity attracted a huge clientele that made her outfit the best provider of such services amongst several quacks whose poor performance was a source of frustration for many.
As a beneficiary of her catering service, I was amazed how she effectively coordinated her team and delivered timely thus, assuaged my initial worries about meeting the standards I set for all service providers.
And, she did it in her usual soft-spoken and calm manner, including provision of painstaking, detailed accounting that I imagined what profit she would have made for her services.
She is known also, to be leading some religious groups and being part of some non-governmental organizations dedicated to spreading the words of God, winning souls and taking care of the poor and needy in society. When her senior brother, Mazi Emma Kanu Ivi (Ogene Ugwu Aro) intimated me about her deteriorating health, we prayed and hoped for divine intervention.
As it pleased God to invite her home now, we are comforted by the fact that all the seasons belong to Heaven and only he knows the fullness of time for all events.
Moreover, we know that she lived a very purposeful and impactful life and left values and legacies by which she would be remembered. As it is often said, it’s not the length of time that matter but how impactful.
May God repose her gentle soul and let her exemplary conducts guide the living to repurpose their lives for good. Adieu, Ada Aro-Okeigbo.