Eze Kanu Oji, Onyeka Onwenu, Pericoma, Others Honoured at Aro Day 2025

One hundred heroes and heroines were honoured at Aro Day 2025 for their outstanding contributions to the development of the Arochukwu Kingdom. Among those honoured were Eze Kanu Oji, who ruled the Arochukwu Kingdom for over 73 years, and veteran singer Onyeka Onwenu, who took Aro heritage to the international stage through her music.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Mazi Ike Okoronkwo, stated that the recognition of heroes and heroines was aimed at encouraging the living to do more for the community. He also called for the establishment of a sporting ground in Arochukwu Kingdom to help harness youth talent, engage young people productively, and discourage idleness and other social vices.

He explained that Aro Day stands on a tripod of culture, business, and social activities, noting that the event targets youth inclusion due to the community’s growing youth population. According to him, the proposed sporting centre would help discover future sports stars such as Stanley Okoronkwo and Nwankwo Kanu in football and other sporting activities.

Speaking further, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Mazi Chimezie Orji, welcomed attendees and appreciated them for coming to Aro Day 2025. He stated that the event provides another opportunity for unity and shared experiences. He described Aro Day as the greatest event in Arochukwu Kingdom, second only to Ikeji Aro, noting that it is a day set aside by Nzuko Aro to celebrate, reflect, and plan for the new year.

In his address, the President General of Nzuko Aro Worldwide, Mazi Nnadozie Udensi, thanked Governor Alex Otti for making the Kingdom proud and demonstrating what an Aro man can achieve. He praised the Governor’s interventions across various sectors and appealed for the upliftment of the Arochukwu Civic Centre, expressing confidence that the Governor would address it. He also appreciated the Governor for always responding to the community’s needs.

Also speaking, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa recalled that in 2002, it was formally proclaimed that December 26 be set aside annually to celebrate Aro Day worldwide. He noted that every Aro indigene was celebrating the Kingdom and planning for the new year. He highlighted that Arochukwu now has road access from multiple routes, crediting Governor Alex Otti for repairing all major roads to the Kingdom within two years and breaking the long-standing jinx on those roads. He urged Umu Aro to support the Governor to remain in office for six years and commended the Eze Aro for providing purposeful leadership.

Contributing, Professor Arunma Oteh, Chairman of the Abia State Local Advisory Council, lauded Governor Alex Otti for achieving what others failed to do in 24 years. She stated that the Governor is being celebrated globally for his achievements in Abia State and thanked stakeholders for supporting his success.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of 100 heroes and heroines who contributed to the development of Arochukwu Kingdom between 1925 and 2025, an exercise performed by Governor Alex Otti.

Those honoured between 1925–1950 include: Eze Kanu Oji (Eze Aro), Dr Alvan Ikokwu, Mazi T.K. Utchay, Senator H.N. Udoh, Mary Slessor, Rev. Hugh Goldie, Mazi Asonye Irogbenachi, Mazi Okoronkwo Kanno, Mazi S.W. Okereke, Mazi S.O. Oti, Elder Mrs. Esther Mgboro Oti, Hon. J.U. Udenyi, Mma Mgbeke Ukwu-Eni, Mma Mary Okoro, Hon. Agwu Nwankwo, Sir Joseph Udensi, Mazi Eze Ole, Rev. A.O. Anicho, Mazi Okoro Une, Mazi Vincent Okoro Kanu Ekubo, Mazi Emma Oti, Barr. E.K. Uku, Rev. Chima Nwana, Mazi Pita Nwana, and Mazi Enoch Obasi Harbor.

Those honoured between 1950–1975 include: Mazi S.G. Ikoku, Mazi Mbonu Ojike, Dr K.O. Mbadiwe, Hon. Dixon Kanu Onwenu, Chief G.E. Okeke, Dr Nwakanma Okoro, Col. Anthony Eze (Rtd), Sir Alex Onyeador, Mazi Paul Okoro, Mazi Lancaster Okoro, Ezeogo Mazi Isaiah Okoro Chiori, Justice Ngozi O. Igwe, Rev. Chima Oji, Dr Jeremiah Kanu Nwankwo, Mazi Okereke Izuogu, HRH Col. Simeon Uwakwe, Mazi L.N. Obioha, Emeka Jonathan Udensi (Spud Nathan), Dr Raphael Onwumere, Mazi Okoro Nwokoro, Mazi Okoroafor Ivi, Mazi B.O. Ochomma, and Mazi Silas Okoronkwo Kanu.

Those honoured between 1975–2000 include: Eze Ogbonnaya Okoro (Eze Aro), Eze Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, HRH Kanu B. Okpalaeke, Ezeogo Elder Isaac Okwara Onoh, Prof. Chimere Ikoku, Dr Jerry Okoro, Mazi Pius M. Igboko, Hon. Israel Kanu Isoka, Prof. Orji Umoziruike, Prof. Mark Chijioke, Prof. Sonny Oti, Barr. George Onwuchekwa, Mazi Tony Okoro, Mazi Ogbonnaya Otuije, Mazi Nwamuoh Echemazu, Mazi Enyinnaya O. Nkemdirim, Dr Chukwuma Obioha, Dr S.K. Nwangoro, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, Rev. Canon Amos Egwuekwe Mgbemena, Prof. Fidelis Udeh, Mazi Samson Nwangwu, Mary Kanu, Prof. Samson Ukpabi, and Hon. Justice Tobias Achi Kanu.

Those honoured between 2000–2025 include: Dame Elder Eme Nwakanma Okoro, Mazi U.K. Udonsi, Mazi Emmanuel Okoroafor, Mazi Emma Nwokoro-Hapel, Prof. Ernest Ugo, Prof. Ernest Nkemakolam, Madam Maria Achinivu, Dr Nkemka Jombo-Ofo, Engr. Mathias Okoro, Barr. Ndionyemma Nwankwo, Prof. Chris Aniche Okoroafor, Arch. Chima Chijioke, Mazi Edwin Ogbonnaya Onoh, Prof. Anexi Okoro, Prof. O.C. Nwana, Pericoma Azubike Nwankwo Okoye, Onyeka Onwenu, Mazi F.A. Ike, Mazi Clem Owunna, Hon. Barr. Uzama Okpalaeke, Dr Arthur Nwankwo, Nze Dan Orji, Mazi S.O. Onwukwe, Mazi Stanley Okoronkwo, and Senator Chris Ukpabi.

The event was also graced by Eze Okoroafor Uroh, Eze Agwu na Okpara Agwu, Eze Ibom Isii Eze Eze Amos Egbu, Emir of Kano HRH Mohammed Sanusi Lamido II, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Commissioner for Works Engr Otumchere Oti, GM of ASEPA Mazi Ogbonnaya Okereke, Mayor of Arochukwu LGA Engr Chibuike Eze Aru, Mazi Bank Anthony Okoroafor, Professor Okoro Ijioma the Chairman of Body of Patrons, Mazi Udo Chijioke, Mazi Obioha Okafor, Mazi Obasi Lawson, Mazi Ogbonnaya Kanno, Barrister NCE Chaka, Mazi Jideofor, Dr Chuks Okoro, Barrister Friday Kanu Ohuche, Mazi Captain Eugene Okey Imuoh, Eze nta Asaga Mazi Francis Okoro, Mazi Orji Ogbonnaya Orji Ugwuaro, Mazi Ernie Onwumere, Mazi Azubuike Okoro, DIG Uche Okoronkwo (Rtd), Prof Nnennaya Kanno, Mrs. Gift Onwuchekwa, Lady Eucharia Oti, Mrs. Chinenye Nwaka SSÀ Women Affairs, Prof Zulu Ofoelue, Reverend Victor Onwumere, Engr Jesse Imuoh, Evangelist Chinyere Achinivu and numerous other distinguished sons and daughters of Arochukwu Kingdom.