Ikeji-Aro 2026: CPC Chairman Elekwa Explains ‘Aro Renaissance’ Theme, Reveals Plans to Preserve Cultural Heritage

As preparations gather momentum for the 2026 Ikeji-Aro Festival in Arochukwu Kingdom, Abia State, the Central Planning Committee is intensifying efforts to ensure that the annual cultural celebration not only runs smoothly but also advances the preservation and revival of Aro cultural heritage.

The 2026 festival, which is expected to bring together Aro sons and daughters, visitors and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and the diaspora, is being anchored on the theme “Aro Renaissance: Consolidating the Gains Made in Arochukwu Cultural Revival Through Entertainment and Preservation of Aro Traditional Healing Practices, Herbs and Roots”, with emphasis on cultural revival, preservation of traditional knowledge and the promotion of Aro identity.

Speaking with Newsleverage, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Hon. Barr. Onyemauche Elekwa, said the concept of “Renaissance” reflects the need to revive beneficial aspects of Aro culture and traditional knowledge that are gradually facing extinction.

Elekwa also explained how the committee’s 11 sub-committees are handling different aspects of the festival, including security, local organisation, interdenominational activities, and youth empowerment.

Question: What inspired the theme of Ikeji Aro-Okeigbo 2026: “Aro Renaissance: Consolidating the Gains Made in Arochukwu Cultural Revival Through Entertainment and Preservation of Aro Traditional Healing Practices, Herbs and Roots”?

Answer: The Aro Renaissance, consolidating the gains made, led to a cultural revival through entertainment and the preservation of Aro traditional healing practices, herbs, and roots.

The major word there is “Renaissance.” Renaissance. And when you hear Renaissance, Renaissance is not an Igbo name or an Igbo language. It’s not even an English word. Renaissance is a French word, which means rebirth or revival.

And when we translate rebirth or revival into Igbo, we call it ntute. Ntute.

What has been before us? What our ancestors have been doing before us- the beneficial aspects of those things that our ancestors have been doing before us- we are now reviving those things.

I remember in those days, we used to have church annual revivals, like religious revivals, even though I don’t hear them frequently these days. This is cultural revival.

And, when we talk of revival, we are talking about cultural knowledge and the pride of the people. When you put these things together—the culture, the knowledge and the pride of the people—and when you want to revive them, it is because some of these things are almost going extinct.

And when things are trying to go extinct, what do you do? You look back.

Our ancestors survived without English medications. We know that in those days, we didn’t have big hospitals; we didn’t have all the maternity facilities; we didn’t have all these things. Our ancestors still lived, and they even lived longer than us. Some of our parents lived to over 100 years.

So, that is the major thing that inspires us in Arochukwu to resume those aspects of our heritage that are almost going into extinction, and to revive them, to bring them back to life for the benefit of not only the Aros but the entire Igbo land and beyond.

So, that is what inspired this theme of cultural consolidation.

Question: So, how is the committee ensuring that this traditional renaissance, this Aro Renaissance, is preserved? And how is the committee ensuring that this year’s Ikeji Festival 2026 goes smoothly?

Answer: Good. The Central Planning Committee now has an additional 11 sub-committees.

Those 11 other sub-committees include the Security Sub-committee, the Local Organising Sub-committee, the Interdenominational Church Service Sub-committee, the Youth Empowerment Sub-committee, and we have so many other sub-committees, many sub-committees

Now, these sub-committees are what we, in English or in economics, call division of labor.

When one man handles something, and only he does everything, most of the time, he can’t get it right. But when you sublet powers, because in law, this is not an issue of delegated, delegated that you think you have one minute remaining. One. You can delegate and re-delegate to other people.

So, by doing so, each of them has their own areas of specialisation. And when somebody is given his area of specialisation to perform, he does it creatively and well.

When you check the Interdenominational Sub-committee, you see we have reverends there, pastors there; you have them.

When you check the Security Sub-committee, we I security experts there.

When you check the Local Organising Sub-committee, it is chaired by the Chairman of Nzuko Aro Home Branch.

So, they look into all this. They are on the ground, checking most of all these things, which, by doing so, by the grace of God, the whole thing will go smoothly to the glory of God.

Question: What has been the biggest challenge in organising this year’s Ikenga Festival?

Answer: The biggest challenge so far has been financing. Whenever something is being organised, there is hardly a situation where everything goes smoothly. What matters is how you are able to overcome the challenges that arise.

CPC Chairman Honourable Barrister Onyemauche Elekwa

In every aspect of life, financing is a major issue. Even in Nigeria, whenever budgets are prepared, financing often becomes a challenge. You may have the knowledge, the intellectual capacity, and the wherewithal to execute a project, but if you do not have the finances, you will still face difficulties.

That is why, particularly in my place, we say, “Ego ji oka.” It means that money plays a very important role in achieving what you have planned. You may have a very good plan, but without the necessary resources, implementation becomes difficult.

Of course, nobody will have the complete amount of money required for everything. But, to the glory of God, people are responding gradually. I believe that by the end of this week, we will have overcome some of these financial challenges.

Some of the committees are doing remarkably well. They meet almost every evening, and most times, I join them. The Central Planning Committee also meets regularly. Sometimes, we meet from 9 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. so that people in the diaspora can participate. On Sundays, we also meet from 9 a.m. until about 11:30 a.m. or 12 noon to accommodate our people abroad.

Everything we are doing is aimed at ensuring the smooth execution of this responsibility entrusted to us. So, I would say that, so far, so good. We still have about two weeks to go, and people are responding to our appeals for funds. In the beginning, we were appealing to people, and we are getting closer to having about 40 people respond to our requests.

There is nothing you do anywhere you can say the money is enough. The quest for money is insatiable, as economists would say. But to the glory of God, we will overcome the challenges.

Question: Let us talk about the traditional institutions and other stakeholders in Arochukwu Kingdom. What has been the level of cooperation between the Central Planning Committee, the Eze Aro, Nzuko Aro Worldwide, and other traditional institutions in Arochukwu in planning this festival and promoting cultural tourism in the kingdom?

Answer: First and foremost, you know that Nzuko Aro Worldwide is under the leadership of His Eminence, the Eze Eberechukwu Kanu Oji. It was the executive of Nzuko Aro that constituted and consulted this Central Planning Committee.

Therefore, Nzuko Aro has an oversight function over the Central Planning Committee, just as the Eze Aro has an oversight function over the executive of Nzuko Aro. They provide direction and guidance to us.

Some members of the Nzuko Aro executive are also members of the Central Planning Committee. Dr Kanu Ohuche, who is the Secretary-General of Nzuko Aro, is a member. Dr Azubike Okoro is also a member. He is a very energetic man who works extremely hard. Mazi Adindu Elekwa, who is my brother, is also a member. He is the treasurer of Nzuko Aro.

Our financial arrangements are also coordinated with Nzuko Aro. We do not operate separate accounts for the festival; we work through the established structure.

So, all of them are cooperating fully. Without their cooperation, I do not think we would have been able to achieve what we have achieved so far.

The same applies to traditional institutions. As you know, Arochukwu has 19 villages, and the traditional structures within these communities are cooperating and coordinating their people. The villages are also connected to the Ikeji Festival.

Everyone is cooperating. We have maximum cooperation from the traditional institutions, Nzuko Aro and other stakeholders, and we are working together very well.

Question: Thousands of people trooped into Arochukwu for the festival last year. What arrangements have been put in place to ensure security and the safety of everyone coming for this year’s festival?

Answer: Thank you very much. Remember that I mentioned earlier that we have a security Subcommittee. That committee comprises security experts who are working with us to ensure adequate security throughout the festival.

We also have the police and other security agencies involved. If you recall, Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

We are, therefore, in touch with the security agencies in Abia State, and they are collaborating with us. People coming to Arochukwu may enter through different routes, so we are working in synergy with the security agencies to ensure that all the routes and the festival environment are properly secured.

Arochukwu also has its own internal security network. The community has a reputation for looking after its own people and visitors.

Let me give you an example. Last December, a young man came from Enugu State to work for me in Arochukwu. One night, he went out and returned around midnight. He asked me, “Oga, don’t you know your people? They are outside lying down.” I told him that I knew them and that it was part of the community’s way of keeping watch.

He eventually spent Christmas with me and enjoyed himself.

So, concerning security, we are on top of the situation. We are working with the state government and the security agencies. We also have the military barracks in Arochukwu, which has been very helpful.

The Commissioner of Police in Abia State and the Divisional Police Officer in Arochukwu are also doing a very good job. They are energetic and committed, and together with our homeland security structure, we are putting everything in place to ensure that the 2026 Ikeji Festival is peaceful and secure.

Question: You have said you will be moving to Arochukwu ahead of the festival. What should people expect from you in the final days leading to the event?

Answer: I am not going anywhere. I will be in Arochukwu, and I am encouraging all my colleagues to come down to Arochukwu as well.

When you have a problem from afar, it is difficult to fully understand it. You solve a problem better when you are where the problem is. You touch it, you see how it is, and you understand exactly what needs to be done.

That is why I am leaving for Arochukwu today. I will be there, moving around and attending to the different aspects of the preparations. I will remain in Arochukwu throughout this period to ensure that everything is properly coordinated.

Question: Finally, as Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, what does it mean personally to you to be entrusted with organising such an important festival?

Answer: I will say that it is a great honor. If you look at the Igbo language and the meaning behind names, you will understand that names are given for a reason. When a child is born, the parents look at the child and give the child a name based on what they see or the circumstances surrounding the birth.

In the same way, I believe the people who entrusted me with this responsibility must have looked at my antecedents and the things I have done for Arochukwu over the years.

As a young lawyer dating back to 1997 and 1998, I have always had Arochukwu’s progress at heart. I worked very hard to advance the interests of Arochukwu, including politically. I was involved in efforts that helped secure additional polling units for the community, among other things.

I have always made myself available whenever it concerns the development of my people. I have never hidden myself from issues concerning Arochukwu.

Wherever God places you, He places you there for a purpose. It is not for you alone. He places you there so that you can be a blessing to your community and work for the progress of your people.

Perhaps they have seen my commitment and the way I have consistently come forward whenever Arochukwu is concerned. That may be one of the reasons they gave me the chairmanship of the Central Planning Committee.

When your people entrust you with a responsibility, you should see it as an honour, not a punishment.

There is a saying that “a reward for good work is more work.” When people see that you are doing well, they entrust you with greater responsibilities.

For example, if you work in an office and your director continually gives you assignments, even when he travels, it may be because he has confidence in your ability to deliver. If you are not performing well and your director hardly gives you responsibilities, you should not necessarily think you are enjoying yourself. You may need to look at yourself and ask how you can improve.

So, for me, this position is a great honor. By the grace of God, I will not disappoint the people who entrusted me with this responsibility. I will do my best and ensure that we deliver successfully to the glory of God.

Question: Thank you so much, sir, for your time.

Answer: Thank you very much. I will be seeing you in Arochukwu very soon.

Question: Yes, I will see you at the festival.

Answer: Yes. I will be in Arochukwu until October.