The ancient kingdom of Arochukwu in Abia State came alive from July 24 to 27, 2025, as indigenes and dignitaries from across the globe gathered to celebrate the first coronation anniversary of His Eminence, Eze Aro Dr. Eberechukwu Oji (9th).
The four-day celebration also hosted the 6th edition of the All Aro National Conference (AANC), signaling a new era of cultural revival and visionary leadership.
Held under the theme “Aro Renaissance: Consolidating Gains and Charting New Frontiers for Aro Kingdom Unity, Peace and Development,” the conference attracted traditional rulers, government officials, diaspora stakeholders, academics, and tourists, all united in celebrating Arochukwu’s historic legacy and future potential.
Festivities kicked off on July 24 with spiritual and humanitarian gesture, an open-air crusade and a free medical outreach at Aggrey Primary School, Ibom Village. Over 300 residents benefitted from health consultations, eye screenings, and prescription services, marking a first in the kingdom’s coronation history.
On July 25, the Oror Civic Centre hosted the All Aro National Conference chaired by Lord Mayor Dr. Innocent Ezumah. Key topics included diaspora engagement, peacebuilding, grassroots development, and cultural preservation.
Later that evening, Nzuko Aro Worldwide hosted a grand gala dinner at Alpha Plus Hotel, where several strategic committees were inaugurated to address pressing community challenges, including water access, road rehabilitation, youth engagement, tourism, and environmental sustainability.
The highlight of the celebration came on July 26 with the coronation anniversary ceremony held in honor of Eze Aro Dr. Eberechukwu Oji’s first year on the throne. The event drew wide acclaim and featured prominent guests including the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, who served as the Special Guest of Honour.
The event was also graced by traditional rulers, business leaders, scholars, and Aro citizens from Nigeria and the diaspora. Many noted the visible achievements and renewed confidence in the monarch’s leadership.
“This celebration is not only about His Eminence,” said Mazi Nnadozie Udensi, President-General of Nzuko Aro Worldwide, “It is also a celebration of a year of cultural renaissance, visionary leadership, and the reaffirmation of Aro identity.”
Planning Committee Chairman, Mazi Obi Chijioke, praised the monarch for developmental strides, citing the “Light Up Aro” project, which has improved security and commerce through the installation of modern streetlights. He also noted youth-focused initiatives in agriculture and tourism as pivotal in stimulating local economic growth.
Speakers at the conference made contributions to Arochukwu’s future. Dr. Azubuike Okoro proposed a hybrid justice system combining traditional mechanisms like Okpankpo, Ekpe, and Nzuko Aro with formal legal processes. Mazi Kanu Ohuche advocated for greater diaspora involvement, modeled leadership reforms after Governor Otti’s transparent governance, and pushed for inclusive governance with active roles for women. He also proposed a merit-based awards system to recognize outstanding service to the community.
The conference closed with a vote of thanks by Professor Okoro Ijoma, Chairman of the National Patrons of Nzuko Aro Worldwide.
Historical references during the events recalled the glory of the Aro Confederacy, formed after the Aro-Ibibio wars and expanded through the influence of the Ibini Ukpabi oracle, a powerful spiritual and judicial force whose reach extended across southeastern Nigeria and beyond. Although British colonial forces destroyed the oracle shrine in the early 1900s, Arochukwu’s spiritual and cultural essence endures.
Now, with calls for heritage tourism and cultural renewal, key sites such as the Ibini Ukpabi shrine, Okoroji House Museum, and ancestral trails are being repositioned as attractions that can drive local development.
The four-day anniversary celebration concluded on July 27 with a thanksgiving service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Amannagwu Village. Prayers were offered for unity, progress, and divine favor in the years to come.
