From Magnus Eze, Enugu
One of the ancient kingdoms in Africa, Arochukwu, located in the northern part of Abia State, is agog following the successful selection and crowning of its new king.
Prince Godwin Kanu Idei Kanu Okoro Oke Nnachi of the Kanu Okoro Oke Ruling House was recently crowned by the Eze Ibom Isii as Eze Aro the ninth to occupy the throne of his fathers, vacated over a year ago, by Eze Ogbonna Okoro.
The palace is made up three ruling families. They are Asi Eko Oke, Oji Okoro Oke and Kanu Okoro Oke. Oji Okoro Oke produced the late Eze Kanu Oji who ruled for 73 years having mounted the throne at 14.
On his demise, Ase Eko Oke presented Eze Vincent Ogbonnaya Okoro. His death few years ago immediately produced his son Prince Obiora Vincent Ogbonnaya Okoro as Arianzu (the messenger of the Eze), pending the proper burial and mourning of the Eze as well as the emergence of a new monarch, since nature abhors vacuum.
Daily Sun gathered that it was in line with established custom and traditions of Arochukwu people that the next ruling house, the Kanu Okoro Oke recently presented Idei as the next Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom.
His ascendency to the throne started with his family presenting him to Oror village where the palace is situated and then to Utughugwu where Mazi Ajunwa received him. Okennachi kindred responsible for presenting new Eze took him to the Eze Ibom Isii, Eze Eze Kanu Nwa Kanu, the only one in the kingdom traditionally empowered to cap and crown a king. After interviews and approval, the Eze Ibom Isii took Idei to the shrine and crowned him with the ancient cap that is over a century amid traditional rites including seven-gun salute.
From the shrine, the now consecrated Idei moved to the palace of Eze Eze Agwu, Eze Okoroafor Uroh Okoroafor who received him with a mammoth crowd and marked his palm and wrist with nzu (traditional chalk) signifying acceptance by the gods.
The two royal fathers and the crowd then marched magnificently to Amaikpe where Idei was formally presented to the entirety of Arochukwu at home and in the Diaspora, announcing him as the Eze Aro the ninth and custodian of the culture and traditions of Arochukwu Kingdom.
The coronation of the new Eze Aro is slated for December 26. Commendations and obeisance have trailed Idei’s emergence as the new Eze Aro. Mazi Chijioke Okoro said the event was not only divine but deserving in sustenance of the rich the Aro succession plan and heritage.
He described the new monarch as humane, intelligent and well prepared ahead: “Since his emergence, the Eze Aro has played host to many people and groups from within and outside the kingdom. The people are happy with their new king. Arochukwu is agog and the palace has become a mecca of some sort.”
For Mrs Gladys Oti, it is a fresh air and new dawn for Aro advancement in view of the new king’s “exposure, listening ears and digital orientation.”
She wished him well on the throne.
Former president general, Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide, Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, a former Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), said the development was the best deal for Aro at this time. He also prayed for the success of his reign.
Many sons and daughters of the area could not hold back their elation. They said that Arochukwu people have spoken, insisting that there is no dispute over the traditional stool of Eze Aro. They dispelled every insinuation of discord in the succession to the throne:
“Our people scattered across the globe are upbeat that the new king will bring his exposure and experiences to bear in driving development in Arochukwu Kingdom and also jealously protect our rich cultural and traditional heritage. We expect him to work towards restoring the legacies that made Aro, a foremost kingdom in Igbo land, Nigeria and Africa.”
Arochukwu has very rich history. It prides as one of the earliest cities visited by the whites which led to early exposures, education, transnational trades, slave trade and mixed traditional and contemporary culture. This early exposure led to adventures and exploration of businesses through nomadic trades among Aro people that gave birth to their spread nationally and globally through slave trades.
This, therefore, accounts for the vast Aro settlements in every part of Nigeria including Guinea Bissau. The kingdom boasts of cultural and traditional heritage that has endured centuries till date. This has largely accounted for its stability, unity and generational blessings.
Perhaps, one outstanding global recognition is Arochukwu on Scottish currency note because of the presence of Mary Slessor, a Scottish with strong affinity to Aro who stopped killing of twins.
The new Eze Aro is the son of late Mazi S K Idei and grandson of Okoro Oke. He attended Zik’s Avenue Primary School, Enugu, while his secondary was at the Methodist College, Uzuakoli, Abia State. A graduate of Estate Management from University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Idei is a property developer and consultant. He is well travelled having lived and worked Europe, Asia, South Africa and Brazil. He is blessed with two sons.