Ikeji-Aro 2025 Kicks Off with Interdenominational Service

The Ikeji-Aro 2025 is set to begin with an interdenominational service at the Civic Centre in Oror Arochukwu LGA on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 10 AM.

On Tuesday, Eze Eberechukwu Oji prayed that God would continue to equip the people of the Kingdom with the necessary skills to excel and be a blessing to others both within and outside the nation.

“Today marks the Ikeji-Aro Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving service. As it is written in Isaiah 44:21-22, ‘Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel… I have swept away your offences like a cloud, your sins like morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.’

“May this day of thanksgiving signify a new chapter for Arochukwu. May God shape us into the servants He desires, equipping us with the skills to excel and be a blessing to other nations. May our sins be wiped away, and may our days be renewed like those of a newborn. May we be known as the redeemed of the Lord, blessed beyond measure. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

On this day in history, Day 10 of the 17-day Ikeji festival is ‘Orie Egbugbu’ in the chronology of ‘Ogugu’ Ikeji Aro Okeigbo!

Traditionally, early in the morning of this day, a succulent plant known as ‘Okpoto’ is placed at the entrance of each ‘Onu nkpu’ (Compound – a total of 129 of them)!
The most elderly ‘Amadi’ of the compound offers a sacrifice before the arrival of dawn!

Thereafter, about 7:00am, every family offer a sacrifice to its Ancestors/ Antients at the Family ‘Ulo nta”/. ‘Inyam Avia’, literally ‘Small House’, but an ancestral assembly hall where the family staff of office (Ovor) is reposed!

Chicken, goats and cows are sacrificed! Compounds that could afford it, hired the ‘Ututu’ to play ‘Okon and Igeri music’ into the ceremonial!

Note that, people are expected to tether their domestic animals to prevent them (especially goats and dogs) from tasting the Ovor left at the ‘Ulonta’! Any animal found tasting the Ovor would be killed instantly!

In the evening, families begin to cook an Ikeji delicacy called ‘Osu’ – blood meal!

This delicacy is only prepared by women of proven purity and decency in manners and behaviour, although their ‘aboriginal status’ carries more weight!

The end of cooking is heralded with gunshots, each gunshot representing a goat used for the centre.

Contemporary trends:

On Day 10 of the Ikeji Aro Okeigbo festival, specifically ‘Orie Egbugbu’, several significant events take place, Viz:

-Sacred Rites and Prayers:
-Elders commune with ancestors/ antients through sacrifices, promoting peace and unity in the kingdom.

– Interdenominational Church Service: A worship service is held to thank God for the bountiful harvest of the year, showcasing the blend of traditional and modern Christian worship practices.

– Cultural Significance:
‘Orie Egbugbu’ marks the beginning of the final four days of the Ikeji Aro Okeigbo festival, highlighting the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Aro people.

– Community Gathering:
The civic centre is packed with faithful attendees who come to celebrate the Ikeji Aro festival, demonstrating the importance of community and unity.

This year, ‘Orie Egbugbu’ falls on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, as part of the 17-day Ikeji Aro Okeigbo celebration, which aims to promote Aro culture, unity, and identity!