It was with pomp and pageantry that the people of the ancient Arochukwu Kingdom in Abia state at the weekend ( Saturday ) celebrated the coronation of their 9th traditional ruler /monarch, 50 years old Engineer Dr Eberechukwu Oji with the title of ‘Eze Aro’ in line with their tradition.
He was however crowned on 26, January, 2024, the same day he was given recognition and Staff of Office as a traditional ruler by the Abia state government under governor Dr Alex Otti.
Before his endorsement by the state government, following the death of his predecessor, Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro Kanu, Eze Aro VIII, one Mazi Godwin Kanu Idei, who is also from the Eze Aro ruling Okennachi family contested for the throne, was, illegally crowned.
Following the resulting tussle, the state government set up a Board of inquiry in October, 2023 and issued a White Paper on the Enquiry Report in favour of the Crowned Eze Aro Dr Eberechukwu Oji.
The government in its White Paper accepted the Board of Inquiry recommendation and nullified the earlier coronation/installation of Mazi Godwin Kanu Idei as Eze Aro IX which was done by one Eze Dr. Kanu Nwa Kanu Okereke, the Eze Ibom Isii without the state government resignation and Staff of Office.
But speaking during the coronation celebration and civic reception in honour of the new Monarch Dr Eberechukwu Oji, the state governor Dr Alex Otti commended Arochukwu people for choosing His Royal Majesty Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji as their 9th Eze Aro.
He said “I have no doubt that majority of Aro people are very happy with his choice but there may be one or two people that are not.
“I say without any fear of contradiction that Aro people made the best choice. From what I have seen, from what I have read, from what I have heard about the 9th Eze Aro, Mazi Eberechukwu Oji is the best in his class”.
“He is the type of leader that every society should aim to have, a leader that will invest in the community rather than stealing from the community, a leader that will show the light rather than initiating people into darkness, a leader that has a second address (a profession).
“ I will therefore use what happened in Arochukwu and recommend it to other societies because gone are the days when people chose the worst rather than the best as their leaders”.
In his remarks, the young and new Aro Monarch in his address entitled “History Beckons ; A Brighter Future Begins in Aro Kingdom” said that the day marked a significant milestone in the history of their renowned Kingdom and that the Eze Aro throne has been a symbol of their collective strength, unity and cherished traditions.
” Describing the recent contestations for the throne as ” not merely trials of ambition but tests of our resolve”, he extented his hand in brotherhood to all the princes of the kingdom stressing that ” it is in unity their true power lies “.
He pledged to, as a servant- leader to ” devote to the prosperity and well-being of all Aros, with commitment to fostering an environment where every voice is heard, every dream nurtured and every member finds his place in the sun”.
He called on the federal government to genuinely embrace true federalism wherein marginalization and exclusion must give Way to inclusion , fairness and justice including the release of the long detained IPOB Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kalu against courts’ verdicts stressing ” the Igbo people with their remarkable contributions and rich cultural heritage , deserve a central place at the heart of our nations development”.
On the popular choice of Dr Oji as the Eze Aro, the 9th, the Chairman of the Strategic Committee during the selection process Mazi Emma Kanu Ivi said ” he is a worthy direct blood grandson of Mazi Kanu Oji, the most famous Eze Aro who reigned for 73 years and was known for his immense intelligence , wisdom and great leadership skills.
” The new Eze Aro is very intelligent, well educated, an experienced leader with national and international exposure, with integrity, humility, capacity, competence and character.
He is a consumate manager of people and resources, God-fearing among others that would enable him excel as a first class Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom.
” We found him capable of attracting dignity, respect, Honor, respect, development, peace and process to Aro Kingdom and knows the Aro Culture and Traditions
” We believe he will make Arochukwu Kingdom and Aro people every where in the world proud as their revered Eze Aro and will surely tower among the best first class kings anywhere in the world”.
Various dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond were in attendance at the event profusely marked with fanfare and sumptous enterntaiments.
