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By Izunna Nkwachukwu
The ancient kingdom of Arochukwu has commenced a 17-day historic edition of its annual Ikeji Festival, with theme, “Aro Renaissance – Celebrating 100 Years of Omu Aro as a Symbol of Aro Culture and Identity.”
The celebration, which began on September 8, will culminate in a grand cultural carnival on September 26, drawing thousands of participants from across Nigeria and the global Aro diaspora.
The Central Planning Committee, in a statement signed by the chairman, Barr. Oscar Chukwuma Okoro and Secretary Mazi Zulu Ọfọelue, disclosed that this year’s festival honours the centenary of the Omu Aro insignia, a cultural symbol first conceptualized in 1925 by Dr. T.K. Utchay, an Aro patriot, educator, and philosopher.
The statement noted that he transformed the palm frond—omu—into a visual emblem of unity, peace, and defense, featuring a shield flanked by giving and receiving hands, crowned by an eagle, and supported by crossed sword and gun. The design was later refined by Okpankpo Aro and has since become a spiritual and cultural anchor for the Aro people.
To commemorate this legacy, a centennial plaque will be presented to four Aro patriots, namely, Dr. T.K. Utchay, Mazi S.W.O. Okereke, Mazi Mbonu Ojike, and Mazi Ozumba Mbadiwe. The Aro patriots had previously been honoured posthumously as Ugwu-Aro by Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide in 2007 for their pivotal roles in shaping the emblem and ceremonial expression known as Omu Aro joji.
The festival’s peak days include an interdenominational church service on September 23, the Ikeji Dinner on September 25, and the Ekekpe Aro-Okeigbo cultural carnival on September 26. His Eminence, Eze Aro Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, alongside Mazi Nnadozie Udensi, President-General of Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide, has extended invitations to all Aro sons and daughters, cultural enthusiasts, and friends of Arochukwu to join in this landmark celebration.
Beyond cultural preservation, Ikeji 2025 emphasizes youth empowerment through the Eze Aro Youth Enterprise Empowerment Programme (EAYEEP). In addition, 19 new candidates, one from each village, will be selected for mentorship, while six alumni will receive ₦200,000 each to expand their businesses.
Efforts are also underway to document the festival’s rich traditions for submission to UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Masquerade performances, oral histories, and rituals will be professionally archived to support the nomination.
The statement further noted subcommittees had been mobilised to oversee logistics, publicity, sponsorship, documentation, and security. With over 10 diaspora communities confirmed to participate and guest performances from Benue and Cross River, Ikeji 2025 promises to be a vibrant celebration of identity, unity, and renewal.
