Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, the Guest Speaker at the Coronation Celebration Lecture of His Eminence Dr Eberechukwu Oji, the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, has stated that the Aro traditional institutions can no longer resist positive reforms that are not only required but necessary, important and impactful but make sense to attain progressive and developmental contributions.
Speaking at the lecture held at Alpha Plus Hotel at Amuvi, Arochukwu LGA on the 25th of July 2024 pointed out that reforms always seek to interrogate the status quo and are inevitable as they are mostly driven by time and change.
Citing Kuwait’s economy which he stated shares comparison in some cases with the Arochukwu Kingdom in its traditional rulership which is hereditary, Dr Orji pointed out that Kuwait is the richest traditional kingdom and is among the top three strongest and most highly valued currencies around the world, and pointed out that reforms are necessary to ensure inclusivity and exercise authority, especially in the issue of ascendancy in traditional rulership.
Dr Orji who spoke on the digital age and the challenges of convergence of Aro tradition and culture also drew attention to the reforms made by the British traditional Monarchy which abolished the primogeniture of Succession Law of 2013 and ended the preference of male children to the throne which then allowed the eldest child to ascend to the throne despite the gender.
“In the making of the recent Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, there are three major opinions which shaped the public debate. First is the argument which is firmly rooted in Aro oral tradition. They believe that the making of Eze Aro must adhere strictly to how it was in the 18th century and believe no reforms should surpass that in the 21st century.
“The second group opines that the making of Eze Aro in the 21st century should be beyond tradition and culture. These include scholars who are leaders in their rights and industries.
“The third argument centres on “Aro on the fence”. They are fully aware of the making of Eze Aro but appear excluded from the discussion ans the process probably due to perceived social status. These people get their information through secondary sources of information and are more likely to listen to the opinion of their leaders to determine their roles in the affairs of the country.”
He urged maximum support for the royal family particularly those who seek the throne and pointed out that reforms do not mean losing what you have but making the best of what you have.
Appreciating the Chairman of the Occasion, the guest speaker and all the guests, Eze Eberechukwu Oji stated that the traditional stool of Arochukwu Kingdom is a sacred stool that is not just for the Kingdom but for the whole Igbo ethnic group.
“There has been indirect rule in Aro before the coming of the whites. The Aros taught Igbos trade and commercialization. The Aros established a system of complex diplomatic growth before colonisation. The Aros provided help to communities who were facing existential threats from outside forces. Our forefathers were strong and so we are not strangers to leadership and rules. It is a false narrative that there was nobody in Aro when the whites came to our lands. These are our histories and nobody can take them away from us.”
Eze Eberechukwu added that the traditional stool of the Aro Kingdom would be made number 1 in the country and beyond.
“We are confident in our history, pedigree and also confident in where we are going,” he concluded.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Chairman of Occasion Professor Maxwell Ogbulu, the Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, ASUU, ably represented by a Professor of English and Literature at the Abia State University, Uturu Professor Godwin Emezue, stated that change is a constant thing but people should concentrate on the past, present and future Arochukwu Kingdom and choose what it would want it to be.
Also present at the event was the Eze Aro, His Eminence Eze Eberechukwu Orji and his Ugoeze, Professor Ijioma, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Dr O.J. Nnanna, Mazi Emmanuel Nwadeyi, Eze Ibom Isii, Mazi Nnanna Oji, Mazi Ike Okoronkwo, President General of Nzuko Arochukwu, President General of the women’s wing, Dr Azubuike Okoro, Mazi Okey Imuoh and other dignitaries.
