Ikeji-Aro 2026: Arochukwu Kingdom Celebrates New Yam Festival in Grand Style

The people of Arochukwu Kingdom in Abia State have celebrated the 2026 Ikeji-Aro (New Yam) Festival in grand style, with His Eminence Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro IX, cutting the New Yam at Eke Ekpe on Friday, the 25th day of September 2026, marking the grand finale of the Ikeji-Aro Festival.

The colourful celebration, with the theme, “Aro Renaissance: Consolidating Gains Made in Aro Cultural Revival Through Entertainment and Preservation of Aro Traditional Healing Practices, Herbs and Roots,” featured traditional dances, masquerade displays, cultural performances and other activities.

Cutting the New Yam, His Eminence Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji, who was ushered into Amaikpe Square in the 1957 car owned by the revered Eze Aro who was his grandfather, Mazi Kanu Oji, stated that Ikeji-Aro is not just a celebration but a homecoming for all Umu-Aro, both in Nigeria and in the diaspora.

He stated that the theme of Ikeji-Aro 2026 was coined to trace the roots of the Kingdom to its past, which, he said, could also set the people on the right path for the future.

In his address, Barrister Onyemuche Elekwa, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, stated that Ikeji-Aro is more than a celebration but a living expression of identity that celebrates the cultural inheritance and shared commitment to common values.

He said that, in line with the theme, the committee made deliberate efforts to bring the objectives of the festival to full realisation.

Elekwa assured the people that for the Kingdom to grow, Umu-Aro must participate actively and contribute their quota to its development.

Earlier in his speech, Chief Dr David Ogba Onuoha (Bourdex), Chairman of the occasion and Abia North Senatorial candidate of the Labour Party, emphasised that tradition cannot be restricted.

While welcoming the people to the grand celebration of Ikeji-Aro, he stated that Arochukwu had opened its arms to sons and daughters, friends, and well-wishers.

“Ikeji-Aro is more than a date but a welcome, a homecoming, where great people gather to know where they come from and renew their commitment to their culture and tradition,” he said.

He congratulated everyone whose efforts contributed to the success of the event.

Speaking at the event, the President-General of Nzuko Aro Worldwide, Mazi Nnadozie Udensi, commended the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, for what he described as laudable transformation across the state.

He also praised the leadership of Nzuko Aro Worldwide for its commitment to serving the people and its team spirit, which he said had contributed to elevating the Kingdom.

Udensi charged the people never to forget their commitment to the Kingdom and urged them to continue supporting its development.

He called on parents to encourage their children and youths to embrace development while urging those in the diaspora to remain connected to their roots.

Also attending the event, the member representing Ohafia/Arochukwu Federal Constituency, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa, and the member representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Hon. Uchenna Okoro applauded the people for preserving their rich cultural heritage and for the yearly improvement in the Ikeji-Aro Festival.

They also commended His Eminence Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji for his initiatives and efforts toward improving the Kingdom.

Also speaking, the Labor Party’s presidential candidate, Sunday Chibuzor Okereke, PhD, stated that His Eminence Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji represents a new chapter and a golden age for the Kingdom.

He said, “Arochukwu Kingdom will produce the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The Chairman of the Arochukwu Kingdom Micro Enterprise and Youth Empowerment Program, Dr Ejike Nnabuihe, said that through the Eze Aro, the union 6 Aro sons and daughters in their businesses.

He said the programme plans to empower 19 persons, one from each of the 19 villages, and expand the initiative so that Umu-Aro would have meaningful means of livelihood and stay away from negative vices that could cause harm to them and society.

The people who refurbished the car owned by Mazi Kanu Oji, which was used to convey His Eminence Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji to the venue, were also recognised during the event.

At the end of the dance competition and cultural displays by the 19 villages, Atani emerged in first position, followed by Ugbo in second position. Amuvi came third, Asaga fourth, Ibom fifth, and Amukwa sixth.

Meanwhile, Ugbo won the Most Innovative Group award, while Atani emerged as the Most Organised Group. Ugwuavo won the Best Masquerade Display, while Isimkpu won the Eketensi category.

Nkui Contest was won by Ibom, while Asaga took second position in that category.

The event was graced by HRH Amos Ngwu Egbu Okoro, Eze Ibom Isii; HRH Cosman Kalu, Eze Uche Izuogu; HRH Ambassador T. Mbanefo; Mazi Prof Okoro Ijoma, Mazi Ike Okoronkwo; Mazi Prof. Ogbonnaya Orji; Mazi Engr. Bank Anthony Okoroafor; Labor Party presidential candidate Dr Chibuzor Okereke; Mayor of Arochukwu Local Government Area, Engr. Chibuike Ezearu; member representing Ohafia/Arochukwu Federal Constituency, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa; member representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Hon. Uchenna Okoro; Commissioner for Arts and Culture, Dr Matthew Ekwuruibe; Commissioner for SME, Honorable Mike Akpara; Mazi Clinton Okoro; Mazi Fidelis Okoro Nwosu; Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole; Hon. Ned Ijiomah; Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis; Hon. Imuoh Eze Omenuko; Mazi Morris Okorie Orji; Ugwuaro Mazi Lawson SOBAZ; Mazi Dr Azubike Okoro; Mazi Dr Kanu Ohuche; Mazi Ijomah Obasi Ijomah (Ochiwar); Ugwuaro Mazi Ernest Onwumere; Mazi Francis Okoro (Eze Nta Asaga); Mazi Zulu Ofoelue; Mazi Ugo Okoro; Mazi Eugene Onoh; Mazi Ogbonnaya Okereke; Mazi Ernie Onwumere; Mazi Jideofor Kanu; and a host of others.