Aro Kingdom Set to Host 2026 Ikeji-Aro Festival, Unveils Activities

The Arochukwu Kingdom is set to host the 2026 Ikeji-Aro Festival, a major cultural celebration aimed at promoting the rich heritage, traditions and historical identity of the Aro people.

The festival, themed “Aro Renaissance: Consolidating the Gains Made in Aro Cultural Revival Through Entertainment and Preservation of Aro Traditional Healing Practices, Herbs and Roots,” will host Aro sons and daughters from all over the world, including traditional rulers, captains of industry, friends and well-wishers.

In a statement, the organisers announced that the event is being held under the royal tutelage of His Eminence, Dr Eberechukwu Oji, the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom; the President-General of Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide, Mazi Dozie Udensi; and the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Ikeji Aro-Okeigbo 2026, Mazi Barr. Onyemuche Elekwa.

The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, is expected to attend the festival as Special Guest.

According to the organisers, the festival will feature a series of activities highlighting important aspects of Aro history and culture, with each day’s programme commencing at 10:00 a.m.

The major events include; Eke Odu on Monday, September 21st, Orie Egbugbu and Thanksgiving Service at the Aro Civic and Cultural Center Oror on Tuesday, September 22, Avor Osu and Ekpo Masquerades Day on Wednesday, September 23, Nkwo Ekpe Ibom Isii, followed by the Ikeji Dinner/Lecture at Ibom Waterfalls Resort and Suites on Thursday, September 24, Eke Ekpe Aro Day, which is the climax of the festival when the 19 Aro villages will converge at Amaikpe Square on Friday, September 25th.

Also on the same Friday, the newly completed Mary Slessor Library will be commissioned earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, Aro traditional medicine practitioners participating in the festival will demonstrate traditional and ancestral approaches to healing, including practices historically associated with treating chronic ailments.

The organisers said the festival is designed not only to celebrate Aro culture but also to preserve indigenous knowledge, traditional medicine, entertainment and other aspects of the kingdom’s heritage for future generations.

They described Arochukwu as a cultural centre with a significant place in Igbo history and urged people from across the world to attend the festival.