Ikeji Aro 2026 on Avor Osu Day: Nkita Oku, Inum, Ekpe Erim, Other Ekpo Masquerades Pay Homage to Eze Eberechukwu Oji

At the ongoing 2026 Ikeji-Aro festival in Arochukwu Kingdom, several Ekpo masquerades, including Nkita Oku, Inum, and Ekpe Erim, paid homage to His Eminence, Eze Dr Eberechukwu OjiEze Aro IX

The masquerades appeared following the cultural display earlier in the day at Amaikpe Square on Wednesday during the Avo Osu celebration, a night meal prepared the previous day and shared by the people with relatives, friends, and well-wishers.

With the theme: “Aro Renaissance: Consolidating the gains made in Aro Cultural Revival through Entertainment and Preservation of Aro Traditional Healing Practices, Herbs and Roots,” it highlighted the relationship between the Aro traditional institution and the cultural groups which form part of the kingdom’s rich heritage.

Welcoming the masquerades and the crowd of people who came to pay traditional homage to him with the Okennachi kindred, Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji showed his admiration for the display of culture and tradition, which emphasises that no dichotomy exists between the traditional institutions and the people themselves.

The festival brought together Umu-Aro and guests from different parts of Nigeria and beyond for a series of cultural, traditional, and community activities, which started on the 7th of September, 2026.

Speaking with Mazi Francis Okoro Eze nta Asaga, he explained that the masquerades had come out to eat the overnight meal prepared, which shows shared heritage and communal living among the people.

He also stated that after the Avo Osu, Nkwo Ekpe (wrestling match) will follow at Ibom Isii Square, which will further entertain the people.

He explained that the people of the Kingdom support and sustain their tradition, hence the crowd at the celebration, and called on all Umu-Aro to participate in the activities of the Kingdom.

The highlight of the event was the cultural display of several masquerades. Several prominent Aro citizens graced the occasion, including Ndi Eze Ogo, Okpankpo Aro and Patrons of Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide, PG, Nzuko Aro and Okennachi Kindred, CPC Chair, Ikeji Aro-Okeigbo 2026, Mazi Ike Okoronkwo, Ugwuaro, Dr Azubike Okoro, Ugwuaro, Mazi Ike Okafor, Ugwuaro, Mazi Ugo Okoro, Ikemba, Mazi Ike Bishop Okoronkwo, and several others.