Umu Aro Set to Mark First Coronation Anniversary of His Eminence Eze Dr. Eberechukwu Oji

Celebrations are underway to mark the first coronation anniversary of His Eminence Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji, the 9th Eze Aro of the Arochukwu Kingdom.

Under the theme “Aro Renaissance: Consolidating Gains and Charting New Frontiers for Aro Kingdom Unity, Peace and Development”, the anniversary builds on the momentum of last year’s historic four-day coronation festival held from July 26–28, 2024.

The event will kick off with an Open-Air Crusade and Medical Outreach at the Aggrey Primary School Field, Ibom on the 24th of July, followed by the 6th All-Aro National Conference at the Civic Centre in Oror on the 25th of July, 2025 and Coronation Anniversary Dinner at Alpha Plus Hotel, Amuvi starting 8pm.

The Coronation Anniversary Day Celebration proper will be held on Saturday, the 26th of July 2025 at the Arochukwu Civic Centre, Oror, and thereafter, there will be a Coronation Anniversary Celebration thanksgiving at Redeemed Christian Church of God, Amannagwu on Sunday, the 27th of July 2025.

The events mirror the pomp and pageantry of last year’s ceremonies which kicked off with an interdenominational church service led by prominent ministers such as Rev. Uma Ukpai and Rev. Dr Chidi Okoroafor at Aggrey Memorial Primary School in Ibom Arochukwu.

There was also a coronation lecture which was delivered by Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji of NEITI, who underscored the importance of reform in traditional governance and drew the attention of the audience to traditional rule laced with modernity in the contemporary world citing the British monarchy, the Sultanate, the Warri Kingdom and other monarchies around the world.

As a world-class king, Eze Aro, during the 2024 Ikeji Aro, flagged off Light-Up Arochukwu and urged the sons and daughters of the kingdom to donate to the cause to light-up all the nooks and crannies of the kingdom. He flagged this up with his own donation of over 500 solar street lights and revealed that his aim is to turn Arochukwu Kingdom into a city of excellence.

Eze Eberechukwu Oji also applauded the State Government’s plan to site the South Eastern University in Arochukwu and government revitalisation efforts at ASCETA Arochukwu, emphasising his thought of making the Kingdom a University town.

Noting that he is the king of all, Eze Eberechukwu Oji lauded the display of several cultural festivals by the 19 villages in Arochukwu, he urged Umu Aro to be steadfast in communality, which is built on peace, unity and development as a shared cause of the people.

On September 1, 2024, Eze Aro hosted the 2nd edition of Ububo Eze Aro n’umu Aro, which is a discussion segment of the people of Arochukwu Kingdom hosted on a Zoom chat, which provided callers and participants the opportunity to engage the monarch and provide opinions on the ongoing development in the Kingdom. This was sequenced into a radio program on BCA Radio tagged ‘From Aro Palace’, which explores the traditions and culture of the people. 

On the 28th of December, 2024, there was a theatre performance tagged ‘Uda Nkwa, meaning Echoes of the Drum’ which showcased the life of Eze Kanu Oji of blessed memory, who served as the ruler of the Arochukwu Kingdom for 73 years.

The live performance, presented as written and directed by Joseph Edgar, was taken off the shore of Eastern Nigeria to the Prime Chinese Restaurant in Lagos in February 2025 and is expected to go beyond the country’s shores.

In all this, the youth of Arochukwu Kingdom were not left out as Eze Aro supported an Entrepreneurship Training Programme organised by Open Arms Outreach Organization in conjunction with Royal Care Empowerment Foundation, at the Arochukwu Civic Center geared towards providing skills acquisition in March, 2025 to equip the youths and make them employers of labour. Over 2000 youths were trained in various vocational skills to enable them set up private entrepreneurial activities and avoid anti-social conducts.

In light of these numerous achievements and more, the Coronation Anniversary Celebration Committee, ably led by Mazi Obi Chijioke, Ugwuaro, made it clear that the anniversary is not just about celebration but also to liaise and discuss with Umu Aro through the 6th All Arochukwu National Conference to be held on the 25th of July 2025 on ways of consolidating ongoing renaissance and building prosperity and peace for Arochukwu kingdom, including its diaspora communities.

Speaking in the same vein, the Secretary of the Coronation Anniversary Committee, Mazi Zulu Ofoelue stated that this programme, particularly the conference which is held every five years will not only celebrate the anniversary of Eze Eberechukwu Oji but also be an opportunity for all UmuAro to discuss the development path taken and directed through the leadership of His Eminence and called on all UmuAro to join hands to build and restore the glamour of the ancient Arochukwu Kingdom.

Adding, Dr Azubike Okoro, the Chairman of Publicity and Publication, emphasised that the first anniversary ceremony is packed with different activities that will not only help in putting the Kingdom on the path of further growth but also help in developing lives individually.

This solidifies the stance of Nzuko Aro Worldwide, led by Mazi Nnadozie Udensi, who emphasised that community development is vital in every community. He further encouraged the current generation to join hands to elevate the values and cultures of the great Arochukwu Kingdom.

A release issued by the secretary, AANC Mazi Anicho Okoro, Ugwuaro indicated that ALL ARO STAKEHOLDERS and leaders of various Aro Communities are expected to attend the 6th ALL ARO NATIONAL CONFERENCE under the chairmanship of DR Innocent Ozoemena Ezuma, the Lord Mayor of Arondizuogu. Other distinguished personalities expected at the event include, His Excellency, the executive governor of Abia state, Dr Alex CHIOMA Otti OFR, Special Guest of Honor, Captains of industries, the academia, traditional rulers, politicians, government functionaries, students and researchers. The theme is: Consolidating Gains and chatting new Frontiers for Aro kingdom unity, peace and development. Keynote address will be delivered by Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa while other Aro sons will handle various topics including: Divided by geography and politics but united in ancestry –  Mazi Dr Chima Dike; Aro kingdom and its diaspora – Mazi Dr Ejike Nwankwo; Political Renaissance of the kingdom – Dr Kanu Ohuche while Mazi Dr Azubike Okoro will deal with Continuity and change in Aro cultural practices as a model for managing conflicts in Aro kingdom – Lessons from History. Notable Aro men and women will chair the two syndicate sessions to discuss all the issues. The conference will document social, political, economic, and cultural contributions of Aro to the growth and development of the south eastern Nigeria and the country, the release informed. Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Ugwuaro who is Chair, AANC opined that the 6th ALL ARO NATIONAL COMFERENCE will be a panacea for Aro unity, peace and development.