Each year, the Arochukwu ancient Kingdom marks Aro Day to celebrate the ancient traditions and cultures of the people which hold them together.
This year was not an exception as Aro Day 2024 was done in grand style especially being the first the Eze Aro the 9th, Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji celebrated since his ascension to the throne of his forefathers. It was a six-day activity packed to the brim by the Nzuko Aro Worldwide to entertain the people and attract tourists to the ancient community.
Festival of 9 lessons and carols
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The event which kicked off on the 24th of December 2024 with the festival of 9 lessons and carols held at the Civic Center Oror Arochukwu attracted the presence of worshippers and churches ably represented by the performance by the Achinivu Harcut Whyte Choral Association, including the Roman Catholic Choir, Presbyterian Mass Choir, Apostolic Church Choir, Redeemed Church Choir, Arochukwu Presbytery PYPAN Choir, Anglican Church Choir, Assemblies of Church Choir, and Ohafia Believers Choir, all of whom sang in celebration of the memorable birth of Christ.
It represented that there’s no conflict between culture and religion; while one is the way of life of the people, the other is the choice of an individual. As Eze Aro the 9th, Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji rightly said, culture and tradition are what hold the people together. It is the identity of the people, a way of life and interaction with other people. There’s no dichotomy between religion and culture.
Aro Day and Awards
As a powerful occasion that transcends festivities and merrymaking, Aro Day is a day set aside to celebrate the individual and collective achievement of the Arochukwu Kingdom. The Aro Day 2024, in particular, was significant with the acknowledgement and reward of prominent sons and daughters who have contributed immensely to the development and betterment of Arochukwu stand as exemplary models.
With the surplus nomination and screening, over 200 persons were awarded as Ugwuaro, Adaukwu Aro and Ikemba Aro. The awards were designed not only to honour these individuals for their exceptional achievements but also to inspire the younger generation to emulate their dedication, resilience, and determination. Many Sons and daughters of Arochukwu Kingdom returned to celebrate or receive the awards, which only happens once every five years.
Eze Eberechukwu Oji revealed that the year 2024 came with a lot of nominations and so the panel had to shift base from the usual 60-70 Awardees to over 200 Awardees to recognize sons and daughters from all walks of life who have done the Kingdom proud with their achievements. He also stated that the awards were meritorious as the nominations only come from the Nzuko Aro Worldwide, where the recipient is a resident. He warned the Awardees that the awards meant ‘more work and not relaxation’. He also invited the people to join him in the Light up Aro Campaign project which he sought to illuminate every nook and cranny of the Kingdom.
In his opening remark, the President General of Nzuko Aro Worldwide, Mazi Nnadozie Udensi, emphasized that community development is vital in every community. He stated that the Aro Day Awards with the theme ‘Honour for Distinguished Champions of Aro Renaissance, Peace and Community Development’ shows that self-reliance and community empowerment are hallmarks of the Arochukwu Kingdom, which is why the Kingdom honours prominent individuals who have distinguished themselves through their service to the community.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Ugwuaro Mazi Goddy Ijioma, celebrated the awardees and encouraged them to prepare for more work ahead to foster further development in the community. He stated, “We honour those who have distinguished themselves through their exemplary service to the Kingdom. It’s not just an award; you have shown what it means to serve and honour the community. We celebrate you not only for your achievements but also for how you inspire us to contribute to our community. Let us reflect on the values that unite us—unity, pride, and heritage.”
The Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr Alex Chioma Otti, who was the special guest of honour at the event, thrilled the crowd with his arrival together with his family. He commended Eze Aro for his achievement in the short time he had been on the throne. He promised to shorten the distance between Aba and Arochukwu with the already flagged-off reconstruction of the Ohafia-Arochukwu road.
Live Performance of Flavour
Singer Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour N’bania, particularly thrilled the crowd when he made an appearance at the Aro Day 2024. The Ada Ada crooner, who was the guest of Governor Alex Otti, sang different hit songs, which further excited the people as they sang along to his songs.
Homage to the Eze Aro
To the onlookers, it might seem as if the Aro Day celebration was the climax of the event, but no, it was just a start to the packer activities experienced in the yuletide. The 27th of December 2024 started with a homage by the 19 villages of the Kingdom, including Aro Diasporans committees, to the Eze Aro Eze Eberechukwu Oji at his residence. The villages were represented by the EzeOgos and their entourage at the residence of His Eminence Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji.
Live Theatre- Echoes of the Drum
The Day also saw a live theatre performance which celebrated the legacies of Eze Kanu Oji. His Eminence Eze Dr. Eberechukwu Oji emphasized that the late Eze was an enigma whose intelligence, character, principles, and integrity set the Arochukwu Kingdom on the right path.
“We are honouring my grandfather, the late Mazi Kanu Oji, who served as the ruler of the Arochukwu Kingdom for 73 years. We warmly welcome all, especially the locals who contributed to bringing this production to life. Mazi Kanu Oji was an enigma—an epitome of intelligence, character, charisma, and integrity. These qualities resonate through the performance we will witness today.”
The Executive Producer Joseph Edgar, writer and Director of the show, Dr Emmanuel Erojikwe, revealed that researching and writing about Eze Kanu Oji was quite emotional for him as his life was dutiful to his people. He explained that he always put them first and not himself.
Visit to the Elderly
The aged in the community were not left out of the celebration of Aro Day as His Eminence Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji, alongside his wife Ugoeze Nneoma Eberechukwu Oji visited the Ezinneoma Social Club at its launch at the Aggrey Primary School Field Ibom, Arochukwu on the 28th day of December 2024 urging them to live with hope as light has come into the Kingdom. He also thanked the social club for their generosity to the aged in society and encouraged them to continue giving back to society, especially to the needy, as that is true worship of God.
Interdenominational Crusade
At the Civic Center Oror Arochukwu on the 28th of December, the Christian faithful gathered again for an interdenominational crusade with the Speaker being Bondservant John Anosike from South Africa which was organized by Nzuko Aro Worldwide. Being a pastor, Eze Eberechukwu Oji, adorned in his robe, maintained that religion is a personal choice of every individual and emphasized that he is the King for everyone, no matter their faith or religion.
Arochukwu Trade and Food Fair
The delicacies were not left out of the Aro Day celebration with the display of different varieties of delicacies at the Arochukwu Trade and Food Fair (Avia Nkwo), which was held on the 29th of December 2024.
Commissioning of Skill Acquisition Hall
Also, to ensure that the younger generation is equipped with the tools needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world without losing sight of the values that have sustained the Kingdom for centuries, the UK branch of Nzuko Aro Women’s Wing commissioned and handed over a Skills Acquisition Center Ugwuavo.
Through strategic partnerships, educational initiatives, and investments in infrastructure, the Arochukwu Kingdom is building a future that honours the past while embracing the possibilities of tomorrow.
Now, the Aro Day 2024 has come and gone, it is now time for every sons and daughters of Arochukwu Kingdom to build and rebuild to write their names in the sands of time.
The Awards, which are held every five years, are an opportunity to embrace the cultures while reaffirming their collective commitment to the continued growth and development of Arochukwu for generations to come.
