By Adewale Sanyaolu
The Palace of Eze Aro, Arochukwu Kingdom has announced December 26, 2023 as the coronation date for Engr. Eberechukwu Oji, as the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom in Abia State.
This was as the Palace equally raised the alarm that its attention has been drawn to news making the round that one Godwin Kanu Idei was purportedly ‘crowned’ Eze Aro by the now suspended Eze Ibom Isil, Mazi Kanu Okereke Kanu and that Idei has been parading himself as the Eze Aro.
A statement signed by Royal Head, Aro Kingdom,Mazi Oji Kanu Oji and Mazi Kanu Okjoro Kanu Oji, made available to Daily Sun warned that the suspended Eze Ibom Isii has no traditional, cultural right or any role to play in the selection of Eze Aro.
‘‘The selection of Eze Aro is the exclusive preserve of Okennachi Kindred which has followed the laid down process by selecting and presenting to Ndi Oke, Utuhugwu, Bianko and Amaja the new Eze Aro.
It is therefore no longer news that the process for the selection of a new Eze Aro has been concluded. The transparent process witnessed the emergence of Engr. Eberechukwu Oji, a prince of the kingdom, the grandson of Eze Kanu Oji. and a petroleum engineer with over 25 years post qualification experience.
The Royal Head, further maintained that the alleged illegality perpetrated by Eze Ibom Isii could lead to breakdown of law and order in the Kingdom, the Palace, Okennachi, saying well-meaning Aro’s have brought the unsavoury situation and the illegal act of Mazi Kanu Okereke Kanu to the attention of government and the security agencies who have already swung into action to forestall the illegality
The new Eze Aro is a petroleum engineer with over 25 years post qualification experience and the current Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ND Western Limited.
Prior to joining ND Western Limited, oji had worked in Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) where he demonstrated exceptional leadership skills to deliver on complex oil and gas projects.
He has been involved in major project commissioning with a track record of transformational business improvement and delivery in Nigeria, Netherlands, Kazakhstan, United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Australia, Continental Europe and other Shell Operating Units across the World.
As the CEO of ND Western Limited,Oji is accountable for the smooth running of all the assets under the OML 34 Asset Management Team (AMT) Joint Venture (JV) Operations between NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and ND Western.