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Books For Sale
Vol. 2
FORWARD
The maiden volume of our book series was
published in 2001. At the ceremony of its
public presentation in Abuja, Mazi Dave Okoro
Imoko, erstwhile secretary-general of Nzuko
Aro who presided, charged the editors to work
hard enough to publish subsequent volumes.
He quite understood the high risk and
uncertainties that characterize the publishing
business, so encouraged us to be guided
rather by higher ideal of service to fatherland.
Three years hence, we are back with the
second volume. Whereas the publication of the
first volume was timed to coincide with the 1st
centenary commemoration of the Anglo-Aro
war of 1901; the present is packaged to
celebrate the third edition of the All-Aro
National Conference billed to hold at Aro-Ajalli
in February next year. Like its sister publication
(the Newspaper), the first volume of Aro News
Book Series was very well received. In fact,
readers are already asking for a new edition of
it or a reprint of the original text.
Once more, I thank Almighty God for the
privilege of authoring the forward to this
second volume. The philosophical
underpinning and the circumstances that
dictated our pioneering role in this venture, and
many more, were adequately articulated in the
first volume. Yet interesting developments
keep trailing our efforts, the most strategic
being the new partnership currently being
forged with Nzuko Aro. Its main thrust is to
provide sound basis for institutionalizing the
medium for the collective interest of the
Arochukwu kingdom. Indeed, our dream at the
onset which was to create an organization that
would outlive its founders is being fulfilled. We
give God the glory.
Again, our team which is drawn from diverse
backgrounds keep enlarging by the day with
people who are generally interested in literary
works irrespective of their callings in life.
Larger interests of Aro remain the unifying
bond as the outfit remain non-profit making to
date. Like the first volume, the current volume
is a collectors item. It features major articles by
various writers that were published in Aro
News Newspaper between January 2001 -
December 2003. Three editions each, of
volumes 4, 5 and 6 – thus, a total of nine
issues. Accordingly, we do not claim any
originality in the ideas espoused therein
except in the articles authored by us. The
articles were re-packaged and edited to
desired shape to meet the house standard
and readers expectations. Our thanks
therefore, go to all those who contributed
articles during the period, thus qualified to get
a mention in the historic text. Writers were
credited with their bylines as they would be too
many to acknowledge individually.
However, I must not fail to appreciate the
invaluable contributions of the editorial board
whose sacrifices have continued to keep us in
a good stead to contend with the challenges
inherent in this endeavor. Mazi Ben Ezumah
and Professor Chris Aniche Okorafor are
fundamental pillars. And, the latest entrant into
the editorial board - Mazi Emma Onyema,
currently representing our new equity partners
while not forgetting the soothing love of my
family. You all make me proud. On behalf of
board, I pledge that we shall continue to uplift
the standard of the publication in order to
justify readers’ expectations on us. This is
consistent with our belief that knowledge is
freedom, and also power. And, without it, a
man stumbles, a community falters and a
people perish.
Finally, let me reiterate that our primary
constituency remains Aro - both at homestead
Arochukwu and in Diaspora and, beyond that,
Igbo race and mankind. In the years ahead, we
shall endeavor, as usual, to be patriotic,
independent and committed to making a mark
in the annals of Aro history and civilization.
Therefore, as you assemble at Ajalli, 2nd
largest Aro settlement after Ndizuogu, to
deliberate and strategize on the ways forward
for the ancient kingdom, we wish you fruitful
discussions and God’s guidance. May the
wisdom of our forebears abide with you. Ako
bu ije.
Mazi Azubike Okoro
Editor In-Chief
Abuja. December 31st, 2004
PREFACE
Good wine matures with age; just as man and
his experience. Aro Okeigbo is so many things
rolled into one: life, history, people, culture,
language, institution, dance, folklore,
mannerisms and for want of words to describe
the subtleties and the flavor of the place,
should we just say Aro is a whole lot more.
This second volume of Aro News Book Series
is matured and ripe with experience. It is in
four huge parts of un-put-downable materials
consciously selected and assembled for the
reader from the past issues of Aro News. The
issues raised are current and authoritative on
Aro. Also the essays are highly incisive,
provocative, discerning, intellectual and done
in styles as elevated as Camus and as simple
as the common folk.
This, unlike its forerunner is not just for
celebration of our history, civilization and
heritage. For we believe that whereas it’s
proper to celebrate the past, place it in its
proper perspective, there’s a caveat; we mustn’
t celebrate it to a point of distraction,
complacency, dissipation and losing sight of
the crucial issues and challenges of the
present.
It’s no cheering news that there’s been near
zero growth rate in Aro since 1970. Human
development indices; infrastructure, rising
GDP, food sufficiency, life expectancy, primary
healthcare, income generation, job creation,
education, portable water supply, power
supply, poverty reduction and so on are not
very cheering either. People still die needlessly
in Aro due to hunger, poverty related causes or
gross lack of primary healthcare.
These are the issues we have devoted our
attention to and equally given prominence. Aro,
going by its space and speed in the years
leading to 1900 ought to have journeyed far by
now; becoming an important metropolis of
sorts. That Aro in 2003 is a shadow of its old
self goes without saying. That it remains
prostrate, in abject poverty, without charm or
grace as a direct consequent of years of
criminal neglect and systematic retrogression
should be a source of concern and challenge
to all Aro.
Therefore, some of the issues raised in this
edition are provocative - because the reader’s
consciousness is targeted for arousal to
positive action for the town we all love, have a
stake in and eager to celebrate. It’s utterly
confounding how Aro failed to harness its
enormous potential goodwill and resources in
the network of towns and settlements of Aro
descent in the Diaspora and overseas
translating them to developmental solutions.
That singular failure is indeed tragic and
carries with it the burden akin to a monumental
loss and bereavement.
The challenge of getting indigenes of Aro
genuinely interested in developing their
hometown without counting the cost or waiting
for passive and distant governments or
institutions is the governing intention of this
book - no other is as pungent and timely as
this particular one.
Epilogue
It’s certainly a bumper harvest, from the
beautiful sunrise of Part One, through the
bristling high noon of Parts Two, Three, Four
and now this soothing sunset. The chicken
has indeed come to roost. Every generation
defines itself through its passion, vision, drive
and accomplishments. That is why we cannot
and dare not subsume our energies, talents
and vision in vain celebrations and dissipatory
running of mere commentaries on our past
while losing sight of the challenges of the
present or realizing that we ourselves now
occupy the driver’s seat so as to steer the
vehicle of our common heritage to a new level.
The implication is that by our action or inaction
now, we have also begun the process of
making history which the generations that will
succeed ours will run commentaries on. That
is why this edition (Vol. 2) of Aro Book Series
throws a challenge to all living Aro whether at
home, in Diaspora or abroad, old or young to
wake up to the current clarion call to duty.
We must admit that we have mostly been guilty
of neglecting Aro, guilty of not sacrificing
enough for Aro’s rise to its well-deserved
position. The road we have followed for
decades has not led us anywhere near our
goal and targets. It then behoves on us to
change direction and possibly our mode of
transportation. Sad enough, Nzuko Aro, village
meetings, social clubs, politicians particularly
and so on, have overtime failed to inspire,
cohere or lead in the quest for sustainable
development. Many of them have become
extremely self-serving. The time has come for
us to re-assess our real needs, methods and
tools. Aro’s evolution into a modern society
should not suffer further regression and
attrition due to deep rooted passivity,
complacency, lethargy and lack of will on your
part. The building of a befitting palace for the
Eze Aro throne, the completion of the civic
centre, the establishment of Aro museum, the
opening of small and medium scale
industries, job creation, provision of needed
infrastructure, and construction of roads are all
challenges facing us. It is only through self-
help efforts that most of these challenges can
be surmounted for the benefit of all. Aro in
America, Europe, in the Diaspora, and within
must stand up; resolve today to help Aro
reconnect with its obstructed march to its
destiny and greatness. Where we fail, too bad,
the commentary that may be run by the
generation that succeeds this one may not be
palatable. According to the bard, Chinua
Achebe, it’s yet morning on creation day - Osita
di nma, O di wara gboo.
To Purchase Hard/ Soft Copies, Please email
sales@aronewsonline.com
FORWARD
The maiden volume of our book series was
published in 2001. At the ceremony of its
public presentation in Abuja, Mazi Dave Okoro
Imoko, erstwhile secretary-general of Nzuko
Aro who presided, charged the editors to work
hard enough to publish subsequent volumes.
He quite understood the high risk and
uncertainties that characterize the publishing
business, so encouraged us to be guided
rather by higher ideal of service to fatherland.
Three years hence, we are back with the
second volume. Whereas the publication of the
first volume was timed to coincide with the 1st
centenary commemoration of the Anglo-Aro
war of 1901; the present is packaged to
celebrate the third edition of the All-Aro
National Conference billed to hold at Aro-Ajalli
in February next year. Like its sister publication
(the Newspaper), the first volume of Aro News
Book Series was very well received. In fact,
readers are already asking for a new edition of
it or a reprint of the original text.
Once more, I thank Almighty God for the
privilege of authoring the forward to this
second volume. The philosophical
underpinning and the circumstances that
dictated our pioneering role in this venture, and
many more, were adequately articulated in the
first volume. Yet interesting developments
keep trailing our efforts, the most strategic
being the new partnership currently being
forged with Nzuko Aro. Its main thrust is to
provide sound basis for institutionalizing the
medium for the collective interest of the
Arochukwu kingdom. Indeed, our dream at the
onset which was to create an organization that
would outlive its founders is being fulfilled. We
give God the glory.
Again, our team which is drawn from diverse
backgrounds keep enlarging by the day with
people who are generally interested in literary
works irrespective of their callings in life.
Larger interests of Aro remain the unifying
bond as the outfit remain non-profit making to
date. Like the first volume, the current volume
is a collectors item. It features major articles by
various writers that were published in Aro
News Newspaper between January 2001 -
December 2003. Three editions each, of
volumes 4, 5 and 6 – thus, a total of nine
issues. Accordingly, we do not claim any
originality in the ideas espoused therein
except in the articles authored by us. The
articles were re-packaged and edited to
desired shape to meet the house standard
and readers expectations. Our thanks
therefore, go to all those who contributed
articles during the period, thus qualified to get
a mention in the historic text. Writers were
credited with their bylines as they would be too
many to acknowledge individually.
However, I must not fail to appreciate the
invaluable contributions of the editorial board
whose sacrifices have continued to keep us in
a good stead to contend with the challenges
inherent in this endeavor. Mazi Ben Ezumah
and Professor Chris Aniche Okorafor are
fundamental pillars. And, the latest entrant into
the editorial board - Mazi Emma Onyema,
currently representing our new equity partners
while not forgetting the soothing love of my
family. You all make me proud. On behalf of
board, I pledge that we shall continue to uplift
the standard of the publication in order to
justify readers’ expectations on us. This is
consistent with our belief that knowledge is
freedom, and also power. And, without it, a
man stumbles, a community falters and a
people perish.
Finally, let me reiterate that our primary
constituency remains Aro - both at homestead
Arochukwu and in Diaspora and, beyond that,
Igbo race and mankind. In the years ahead, we
shall endeavor, as usual, to be patriotic,
independent and committed to making a mark
in the annals of Aro history and civilization.
Therefore, as you assemble at Ajalli, 2nd
largest Aro settlement after Ndizuogu, to
deliberate and strategize on the ways forward
for the ancient kingdom, we wish you fruitful
discussions and God’s guidance. May the
wisdom of our forebears abide with you. Ako
bu ije.
Mazi Azubike Okoro
Editor In-Chief
Abuja. December 31st, 2004
PREFACE
Good wine matures with age; just as man and
his experience. Aro Okeigbo is so many things
rolled into one: life, history, people, culture,
language, institution, dance, folklore,
mannerisms and for want of words to describe
the subtleties and the flavor of the place,
should we just say Aro is a whole lot more.
This second volume of Aro News Book Series
is matured and ripe with experience. It is in
four huge parts of un-put-downable materials
consciously selected and assembled for the
reader from the past issues of Aro News. The
issues raised are current and authoritative on
Aro. Also the essays are highly incisive,
provocative, discerning, intellectual and done
in styles as elevated as Camus and as simple
as the common folk.
This, unlike its forerunner is not just for
celebration of our history, civilization and
heritage. For we believe that whereas it’s
proper to celebrate the past, place it in its
proper perspective, there’s a caveat; we mustn’
t celebrate it to a point of distraction,
complacency, dissipation and losing sight of
the crucial issues and challenges of the
present.
It’s no cheering news that there’s been near
zero growth rate in Aro since 1970. Human
development indices; infrastructure, rising
GDP, food sufficiency, life expectancy, primary
healthcare, income generation, job creation,
education, portable water supply, power
supply, poverty reduction and so on are not
very cheering either. People still die needlessly
in Aro due to hunger, poverty related causes or
gross lack of primary healthcare.
These are the issues we have devoted our
attention to and equally given prominence. Aro,
going by its space and speed in the years
leading to 1900 ought to have journeyed far by
now; becoming an important metropolis of
sorts. That Aro in 2003 is a shadow of its old
self goes without saying. That it remains
prostrate, in abject poverty, without charm or
grace as a direct consequent of years of
criminal neglect and systematic retrogression
should be a source of concern and challenge
to all Aro.
Therefore, some of the issues raised in this
edition are provocative - because the reader’s
consciousness is targeted for arousal to
positive action for the town we all love, have a
stake in and eager to celebrate. It’s utterly
confounding how Aro failed to harness its
enormous potential goodwill and resources in
the network of towns and settlements of Aro
descent in the Diaspora and overseas
translating them to developmental solutions.
That singular failure is indeed tragic and
carries with it the burden akin to a monumental
loss and bereavement.
The challenge of getting indigenes of Aro
genuinely interested in developing their
hometown without counting the cost or waiting
for passive and distant governments or
institutions is the governing intention of this
book - no other is as pungent and timely as
this particular one.
Epilogue
It’s certainly a bumper harvest, from the
beautiful sunrise of Part One, through the
bristling high noon of Parts Two, Three, Four
and now this soothing sunset. The chicken
has indeed come to roost. Every generation
defines itself through its passion, vision, drive
and accomplishments. That is why we cannot
and dare not subsume our energies, talents
and vision in vain celebrations and dissipatory
running of mere commentaries on our past
while losing sight of the challenges of the
present or realizing that we ourselves now
occupy the driver’s seat so as to steer the
vehicle of our common heritage to a new level.
The implication is that by our action or inaction
now, we have also begun the process of
making history which the generations that will
succeed ours will run commentaries on. That
is why this edition (Vol. 2) of Aro Book Series
throws a challenge to all living Aro whether at
home, in Diaspora or abroad, old or young to
wake up to the current clarion call to duty.
We must admit that we have mostly been guilty
of neglecting Aro, guilty of not sacrificing
enough for Aro’s rise to its well-deserved
position. The road we have followed for
decades has not led us anywhere near our
goal and targets. It then behoves on us to
change direction and possibly our mode of
transportation. Sad enough, Nzuko Aro, village
meetings, social clubs, politicians particularly
and so on, have overtime failed to inspire,
cohere or lead in the quest for sustainable
development. Many of them have become
extremely self-serving. The time has come for
us to re-assess our real needs, methods and
tools. Aro’s evolution into a modern society
should not suffer further regression and
attrition due to deep rooted passivity,
complacency, lethargy and lack of will on your
part. The building of a befitting palace for the
Eze Aro throne, the completion of the civic
centre, the establishment of Aro museum, the
opening of small and medium scale
industries, job creation, provision of needed
infrastructure, and construction of roads are all
challenges facing us. It is only through self-
help efforts that most of these challenges can
be surmounted for the benefit of all. Aro in
America, Europe, in the Diaspora, and within
must stand up; resolve today to help Aro
reconnect with its obstructed march to its
destiny and greatness. Where we fail, too bad,
the commentary that may be run by the
generation that succeeds this one may not be
palatable. According to the bard, Chinua
Achebe, it’s yet morning on creation day - Osita
di nma, O di wara gboo.
To Purchase Hard/ Soft Copies, Please email
sales@aronewsonline.com
Vol. 1
FORWARD
I thank Almighty God for the opportunity of writing the forward to
this work. Perhaps, a few remarks on our antecedent would
provide enough insight which would enable readers to appreciate
the value and worth of this book. Though I had a stint in
journalism earlier in my career, there was no
immediate plan to restart it this soon, even as a hobby. However,
in 1997 while chairing the executive body of Amuvi Welfare Union,
Abuja Branch, interplay of forces made it imperative.
At Abuja, the branch union was still nursing injuries caused by
personality clashes and intra-group conflicts among contending
interests; back at Aro, the central body was trying to lay a new
foundation for the village which had just survived over seven
years of crisis arising from tussle for the Eze Ogo stool. Hence,
the need for a platform to articulate, educate and inform the
citizenry on issues of common interest and the gains of being
united was greatly felt. I recognized this gap in information and
communication and what dangers it posed and quickly organized
my colleagues to bridge it. In addition, we were not oblivious of
the circumstances around Arochukwu then which required a
serious medium that would act as a vanguard in its quest to re-
event itself after about
eight years of rancor and vacuum in its highest traditional
authority stool. In this wise, I recall with delight our meeting with
Okpankpo Aro during the public presentation of Aro News to Eze
Aro in council, the frank advice of the Aro Monarch which rekindled
our faith in the project. In that same event, Mazi E O Okorafor
(Avonta) stirred patriotic sentiments whew he wished that the
medium could cater for the general and peculiar interests of the
ancient kingdom. Given the above circumstances therefore, the
mission of the publication was clear:- a forum for critical
examination, evaluation, dissemination and discussion of views,
information and ideas
which concern Arochukwu as a socio-political and cultural entity,
to promote cultural affinity socialization, cultural and traditional
education and sustainable development; to highlight historical
landmarks and re-visit or re-trace significant events
in history which made Aro an indispensable force in the history of
West Africa uptil 1900. The debut of Aro News in 1997 was
therefore, opportuned given the fact that the community was then
unequivocally poised on the threshold of political, socioeconomic
and cultural transformation. As we quite understand, change, like
the phenomenon of birth is often accompanied by pain and
anxiety and where it is not properly handled, disastrous
consequences always result. So the medium couldn’t have
emerged at a better time. J. P Clark stated it better in “The Last
Wish”, Now that where l am going is nearer than where I began,
may I be like the emerging child if the arrival is into light.
Our team was drawn from diverse backgrounds. Some were
professional journalists, some were academics, and some were
consultants while others were people who were generally
interested in literary works irrespective of their callings in life.
Most were people I had the privilege of having worked with or had
contact with at various times.
The common link among them was the consummate ambition to
grip the attention of all who loves and cherishes inquiry into
knowledge, particularly as it concerns Aro issues.
For completion of information, I shall not fail to note that it was our
initial idea to publish under the auspices of Amuvi umbrella union
but higher issues of patriotism, larger interests of Aro cum
persuasions convinced us to the contrary.
In the past five years, Aro News has been very well received by
our numerous readers locally and internationally. About two years
ago, we started receiving enquiries from people who would want
to have all the past editions of the publication. This
is, no doubt, understandable given its historical and academic
bent. Some university libraries and a few archives made such
requests but we were unable to satisfy their demands. Also,
individuals like MaziGibson lhe of Amuvi, Arochukwu expressed
desire to have the publication in a more handy size to enhance its
storage for future generations. More over, these enquiries and
reactions were received at a time when Aro
kingdom was seriously preparing to host the world in
commemoration of the Centenary Anniversary of the Anglo-Aro
war of 1901. Major events are earmarked to celebrate the event
and guests are expected from the world over. The editorial board
thought over these issues and decided that a collector’s item,
which this work is, would be the best way of meeting all the
demands. Besides, it was equally believed that it would be an
ideal centenary anniversary souvenir. What you are holding
therefore, is a collection of major articles written by various
authors that were published in Aro News between 1997-2000.
That being the case, we do not claim any originality in the ideas
espoused therein as our role was limited to re-packaging and
editing the text to desired shape. I therefore, wish to thank all
those who contributed articles for us in the past five years and
thus, qualified to get a mention in this historic text. Every article is
made to carry the by-line of the writer as they would be too many
to mention individually. But in a.special way, I want to
acknowledge the invaluable role of my colleague at Aro News,
incidentally the editor - N’Mazi Ben Ezumah who in the last five
years bore the brunt with me of ensuring that we appear at
newsstands regularly. His words of encouragement at times
when I was financially broke to pick up production costs assisted
greatly to sustain the medium.
Also, we profited immensely from the intellectual reservoir of Mazi
Chris Aniche Okorafor. The number of his articles in this
collection is enough testimony to his onerous efforts and
intellectual depth. We remain indebted to him in our collective
service to the fatherland. More over, along the line the third leg
that would have completed the tripod at inception lheanyi Ochor
left the editorial board by choice. We acknowledge is immense
contributions at the critical gestation stage.
Furthermore, I will not fail to acknowledge the special role played
by my family in this endeavor. Sometimes, I actually denied them
due privileges - especially my time, to ensure that we do not fail to
produce timely. Again, from the onset, we
defined and aimed at our target audience.
Without pretending to be like every other “Aro-based” newspaper i.
e. a social diary of sort, we aimed to be different perhaps, by the
intellectual tone of our reports. But a lot of people who did not
understand our philosophy felt concerned and suggested ways to
reposition the medium. To all of you, I owe a lot of gratitude.
At the editorial board, we recognize the fact that knowledge is
freedom, and also power. Without it, we believe, a man stumbles,
a community falters
and a people perish. Accordingly, it has remained our vision and
intention to continue to uplift the standard of the publication so as
to justify
the expectations of our numerous readers. In this wise, to the
extent that what the medium preached in the last five years added
value to the body of knowledge which directed our community
towards the path of greatness, and to the extent that it remained
the point of light in darkness that inspired and encouraged our
people that the future harbored greater and nobler attainments;
to that extent we have largely succeeded in our mission. This is
the standard by which we want our readers to continue to judge
us as we strive to lay a solid foundation for posterity.
Finally, I shall not fail to point out that our primary
constituency remains Aro - both at homestead Arochukwu and in
diaspora and, beyond that, Igbo race and mankind. In the years
ahead, we shall continue, as usual, to be patriotic, independent
and committed to making a mark in the annals of Aro history and
civilization. God willing, we shall succeed. Meanwhile, Please
accept the assurances of my highest regard and I wish
all a happy Centenary Anniversary celebration.
Mazi Azubike Okoro
Publisher/Editor-In-Chief
Abuja, June 30th, 2001
PREFACE
The changes brought about by slave trade and colonialism in
most societies have continued to attract serious commentaries
and books of this nature. Chinua Achebe in his book, Anthills of
the Savannah attests that all over the world the labor of "serfs,
starving peasants and slaves were used to erect cathedrals,
pyramids and stone towers". While the slaves from Africa were
used to develop other continents, African societies were
neglected and today they are under developed and suffer from
stunted growth, sapped energies and lethargy. That is not all; the
continent is also affected by widespread poverty, diseases and
disillusionment.
Aro Kingdom was almost at the peak of its greatness when the
British imperialists invaded her territory. This incidence was repli
cated, all over the continent, where societies evolving naturally at
their own pace and potentials were systematically imperiled, bro
ken up and ultimately destroyed. Bini, Kanem-Borno, Ashanti,
Songhai, Mali, etc suffered this fate. The aftermath of the monu
mental destruction, trauma, and distortion are evident and the
traces still manifest themselves in our societies. Walter Rodney
articulated these issues most eloquently in his celebrated, How
Europe Underdeveloped Africa.
The siege has continued unabated, and that is why the agitation
for reparation to Africa has always been ignored by the Western
imperialist powers. The cry for debt forgiveness or rescheduling
is also being rebuffed and treated with paralyzing levity.
Undoubtedly, the truth remains incontrovertible that Africa was
mindlessly impoverished, ravaged and plundered for centuries by
the West. It is therefore only fair that the exploiters of Africa be
made accountable for their heinous crimes. More so, when such
payments have been made to the Jews by several countries for
the crimes committed against them during the world wars.
The members of the Editorial Board of Aro News have done a lot
of work in preparing this reference guide and compendium of
fresh data and materials on Aro history and civilization. They have
also drawn attention to some salient issues in Aro history which
are yet to be successfully resolved by Historians, Anthropologists,
Sociologists, etc. They have done so in a simple, lucid and free-
flowing prose which would enable readers to easily comprehend
the events. The challenge of this work therefore lies in its ability to
stimulate scholarly discourse out of which the dynamics of Aro
history and culture may arise. This depth of information, which
could be said to be the most current on the subject, speaks
volumes about the ingenuity and intellectual strength of the
editors.
I commend their efforts and also recommend the book to all Aro
and non-Aro who are interested in Aro history, ideology, customs
and traditions. While congratulating the initiative and dynamism
of Mazi Azubike Okoro and Nwa- Mazi Ben Ezumah,
Publisher/Editor in-Chief and Editor of Aro News respectively, I
strongly recommend that you pick copies of this book for your
family libraries and friends.
Mazi Dave Imoko
Secretary-General, Nzuko Aro
Member, Aro 2002 Commission
Abuja, Nigeria
June 2001
EPILOGUE
Good wine needs no bush
As we turn to the last pages of this compendium a complete
picture of Aro kingdom long before western thought and influ
ences rudely crept in upon us begins to emerge.
Our walk down the ancient streets of Aro Golden Age, 1750-1902
presented us a better appreciation of Aro history and civilization,
the internal dynamics which propelled its ascendancy, nay
descendency. From the 1850s, we saw the enormous potentials
of the Aro society as it moved from a sleeping rural environment
to a metropolis in the hob of flux and reflux of enterprise and
quest.
We understood how by the end of the nineteenth century the
Kingdom had come to reckoning as a major power broker and
economic bloc. So much so as to have mustered the resources
to withstand the onslaught of the British expeditionists on the geo
political configurations of the whole of the Igbo country and be
yond. Aro reached the zenith of a great build up that took over two
hundred and fifty years within the period we reviewed. The Eze
Aro throne and such institutions as the Ekpe society and the
Ibinukpabi ensured that a stable traditional government was
firmly in place.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the Nwa Mgbede train
had by then made its umpteenth rounds through the labyrinthine
streets of Amazu, Ibom Isii down to the Ezumezu square at
Obinkita. Each round show cased sheer choreography, beauty,
pageantry, love, dance, song, masks, sculpture and customs
which had been handed down from one generation to another.
Succinctly put, the Ekpe institution, the Ibinukpabi, Aro calendar,
the Omu Aro emblem, the Omu Aro George (wrapper), the Aro
world view, the Eze Aro throne etc, are undiminishable aspects
of Aro tradition and culture which shall remain with us so long as
the sun rises from the East and withdraws in the West. These
and a lot more form the integral part of Aro nation. They are
inseparable as they are inalienable and identifiable with the Aros.
Furthermore, each generation discovers its essence, the protec
tion of Aro identity and the propagation of Aro culture and civiliza
tion would have to be taken to another level in an age of informa
tion technology. People from other places want to know how Aro
is faring. Historians, scholars and academics would want to
verify their information on Aro, validate their views and
authenticate facts available to them through secondary sources.
This is why Aro should begin to make conscious effort to
represent Aro Kingdom to the world in the twenty first century.
Events aimed towards proper education and information should
be taken up. Aro Kingdom can be re-packaged and presented to
the world as a tourist destination and it becomes one. The world
needs information in order to be aware. Emphasis, therefore
should be on positive issues that would encourage sustainable
development.
We should be conscious of the new challenges which face us as
a people: poverty, disease, illiteracy, hunger and under
development. We must equally work hard to reduce or even
eliminate them. Consequently, we must wake up to the clarion
call to duty. We must re-awaken the impetus which gave rise to
the establishment of a thousand and one settlements and
trading out-posts allover the Igbo nation and beyond. That
enterprising spirit of our forebears must be rekindled in us as it
holds our only hope to remain relevant in the years to come.
We often enthuse that Aro was great, yet Aro could be greater in
our time if we stop sleeping on our oars, eschew bitterness, vain
glory and complacency and work hard as those before us did in
order to uplift our great kingdom. By so doing our collective
survival, health, and happiness would be forever sure.
To Purchase Hard/ Soft Copies, please email
sales@aronewsonline.com
FORWARD
I thank Almighty God for the opportunity of writing the forward to
this work. Perhaps, a few remarks on our antecedent would
provide enough insight which would enable readers to appreciate
the value and worth of this book. Though I had a stint in
journalism earlier in my career, there was no
immediate plan to restart it this soon, even as a hobby. However,
in 1997 while chairing the executive body of Amuvi Welfare Union,
Abuja Branch, interplay of forces made it imperative.
At Abuja, the branch union was still nursing injuries caused by
personality clashes and intra-group conflicts among contending
interests; back at Aro, the central body was trying to lay a new
foundation for the village which had just survived over seven
years of crisis arising from tussle for the Eze Ogo stool. Hence,
the need for a platform to articulate, educate and inform the
citizenry on issues of common interest and the gains of being
united was greatly felt. I recognized this gap in information and
communication and what dangers it posed and quickly organized
my colleagues to bridge it. In addition, we were not oblivious of
the circumstances around Arochukwu then which required a
serious medium that would act as a vanguard in its quest to re-
event itself after about
eight years of rancor and vacuum in its highest traditional
authority stool. In this wise, I recall with delight our meeting with
Okpankpo Aro during the public presentation of Aro News to Eze
Aro in council, the frank advice of the Aro Monarch which rekindled
our faith in the project. In that same event, Mazi E O Okorafor
(Avonta) stirred patriotic sentiments whew he wished that the
medium could cater for the general and peculiar interests of the
ancient kingdom. Given the above circumstances therefore, the
mission of the publication was clear:- a forum for critical
examination, evaluation, dissemination and discussion of views,
information and ideas
which concern Arochukwu as a socio-political and cultural entity,
to promote cultural affinity socialization, cultural and traditional
education and sustainable development; to highlight historical
landmarks and re-visit or re-trace significant events
in history which made Aro an indispensable force in the history of
West Africa uptil 1900. The debut of Aro News in 1997 was
therefore, opportuned given the fact that the community was then
unequivocally poised on the threshold of political, socioeconomic
and cultural transformation. As we quite understand, change, like
the phenomenon of birth is often accompanied by pain and
anxiety and where it is not properly handled, disastrous
consequences always result. So the medium couldn’t have
emerged at a better time. J. P Clark stated it better in “The Last
Wish”, Now that where l am going is nearer than where I began,
may I be like the emerging child if the arrival is into light.
Our team was drawn from diverse backgrounds. Some were
professional journalists, some were academics, and some were
consultants while others were people who were generally
interested in literary works irrespective of their callings in life.
Most were people I had the privilege of having worked with or had
contact with at various times.
The common link among them was the consummate ambition to
grip the attention of all who loves and cherishes inquiry into
knowledge, particularly as it concerns Aro issues.
For completion of information, I shall not fail to note that it was our
initial idea to publish under the auspices of Amuvi umbrella union
but higher issues of patriotism, larger interests of Aro cum
persuasions convinced us to the contrary.
In the past five years, Aro News has been very well received by
our numerous readers locally and internationally. About two years
ago, we started receiving enquiries from people who would want
to have all the past editions of the publication. This
is, no doubt, understandable given its historical and academic
bent. Some university libraries and a few archives made such
requests but we were unable to satisfy their demands. Also,
individuals like MaziGibson lhe of Amuvi, Arochukwu expressed
desire to have the publication in a more handy size to enhance its
storage for future generations. More over, these enquiries and
reactions were received at a time when Aro
kingdom was seriously preparing to host the world in
commemoration of the Centenary Anniversary of the Anglo-Aro
war of 1901. Major events are earmarked to celebrate the event
and guests are expected from the world over. The editorial board
thought over these issues and decided that a collector’s item,
which this work is, would be the best way of meeting all the
demands. Besides, it was equally believed that it would be an
ideal centenary anniversary souvenir. What you are holding
therefore, is a collection of major articles written by various
authors that were published in Aro News between 1997-2000.
That being the case, we do not claim any originality in the ideas
espoused therein as our role was limited to re-packaging and
editing the text to desired shape. I therefore, wish to thank all
those who contributed articles for us in the past five years and
thus, qualified to get a mention in this historic text. Every article is
made to carry the by-line of the writer as they would be too many
to mention individually. But in a.special way, I want to
acknowledge the invaluable role of my colleague at Aro News,
incidentally the editor - N’Mazi Ben Ezumah who in the last five
years bore the brunt with me of ensuring that we appear at
newsstands regularly. His words of encouragement at times
when I was financially broke to pick up production costs assisted
greatly to sustain the medium.
Also, we profited immensely from the intellectual reservoir of Mazi
Chris Aniche Okorafor. The number of his articles in this
collection is enough testimony to his onerous efforts and
intellectual depth. We remain indebted to him in our collective
service to the fatherland. More over, along the line the third leg
that would have completed the tripod at inception lheanyi Ochor
left the editorial board by choice. We acknowledge is immense
contributions at the critical gestation stage.
Furthermore, I will not fail to acknowledge the special role played
by my family in this endeavor. Sometimes, I actually denied them
due privileges - especially my time, to ensure that we do not fail to
produce timely. Again, from the onset, we
defined and aimed at our target audience.
Without pretending to be like every other “Aro-based” newspaper i.
e. a social diary of sort, we aimed to be different perhaps, by the
intellectual tone of our reports. But a lot of people who did not
understand our philosophy felt concerned and suggested ways to
reposition the medium. To all of you, I owe a lot of gratitude.
At the editorial board, we recognize the fact that knowledge is
freedom, and also power. Without it, we believe, a man stumbles,
a community falters
and a people perish. Accordingly, it has remained our vision and
intention to continue to uplift the standard of the publication so as
to justify
the expectations of our numerous readers. In this wise, to the
extent that what the medium preached in the last five years added
value to the body of knowledge which directed our community
towards the path of greatness, and to the extent that it remained
the point of light in darkness that inspired and encouraged our
people that the future harbored greater and nobler attainments;
to that extent we have largely succeeded in our mission. This is
the standard by which we want our readers to continue to judge
us as we strive to lay a solid foundation for posterity.
Finally, I shall not fail to point out that our primary
constituency remains Aro - both at homestead Arochukwu and in
diaspora and, beyond that, Igbo race and mankind. In the years
ahead, we shall continue, as usual, to be patriotic, independent
and committed to making a mark in the annals of Aro history and
civilization. God willing, we shall succeed. Meanwhile, Please
accept the assurances of my highest regard and I wish
all a happy Centenary Anniversary celebration.
Mazi Azubike Okoro
Publisher/Editor-In-Chief
Abuja, June 30th, 2001
PREFACE
The changes brought about by slave trade and colonialism in
most societies have continued to attract serious commentaries
and books of this nature. Chinua Achebe in his book, Anthills of
the Savannah attests that all over the world the labor of "serfs,
starving peasants and slaves were used to erect cathedrals,
pyramids and stone towers". While the slaves from Africa were
used to develop other continents, African societies were
neglected and today they are under developed and suffer from
stunted growth, sapped energies and lethargy. That is not all; the
continent is also affected by widespread poverty, diseases and
disillusionment.
Aro Kingdom was almost at the peak of its greatness when the
British imperialists invaded her territory. This incidence was repli
cated, all over the continent, where societies evolving naturally at
their own pace and potentials were systematically imperiled, bro
ken up and ultimately destroyed. Bini, Kanem-Borno, Ashanti,
Songhai, Mali, etc suffered this fate. The aftermath of the monu
mental destruction, trauma, and distortion are evident and the
traces still manifest themselves in our societies. Walter Rodney
articulated these issues most eloquently in his celebrated, How
Europe Underdeveloped Africa.
The siege has continued unabated, and that is why the agitation
for reparation to Africa has always been ignored by the Western
imperialist powers. The cry for debt forgiveness or rescheduling
is also being rebuffed and treated with paralyzing levity.
Undoubtedly, the truth remains incontrovertible that Africa was
mindlessly impoverished, ravaged and plundered for centuries by
the West. It is therefore only fair that the exploiters of Africa be
made accountable for their heinous crimes. More so, when such
payments have been made to the Jews by several countries for
the crimes committed against them during the world wars.
The members of the Editorial Board of Aro News have done a lot
of work in preparing this reference guide and compendium of
fresh data and materials on Aro history and civilization. They have
also drawn attention to some salient issues in Aro history which
are yet to be successfully resolved by Historians, Anthropologists,
Sociologists, etc. They have done so in a simple, lucid and free-
flowing prose which would enable readers to easily comprehend
the events. The challenge of this work therefore lies in its ability to
stimulate scholarly discourse out of which the dynamics of Aro
history and culture may arise. This depth of information, which
could be said to be the most current on the subject, speaks
volumes about the ingenuity and intellectual strength of the
editors.
I commend their efforts and also recommend the book to all Aro
and non-Aro who are interested in Aro history, ideology, customs
and traditions. While congratulating the initiative and dynamism
of Mazi Azubike Okoro and Nwa- Mazi Ben Ezumah,
Publisher/Editor in-Chief and Editor of Aro News respectively, I
strongly recommend that you pick copies of this book for your
family libraries and friends.
Mazi Dave Imoko
Secretary-General, Nzuko Aro
Member, Aro 2002 Commission
Abuja, Nigeria
June 2001
EPILOGUE
Good wine needs no bush
As we turn to the last pages of this compendium a complete
picture of Aro kingdom long before western thought and influ
ences rudely crept in upon us begins to emerge.
Our walk down the ancient streets of Aro Golden Age, 1750-1902
presented us a better appreciation of Aro history and civilization,
the internal dynamics which propelled its ascendancy, nay
descendency. From the 1850s, we saw the enormous potentials
of the Aro society as it moved from a sleeping rural environment
to a metropolis in the hob of flux and reflux of enterprise and
quest.
We understood how by the end of the nineteenth century the
Kingdom had come to reckoning as a major power broker and
economic bloc. So much so as to have mustered the resources
to withstand the onslaught of the British expeditionists on the geo
political configurations of the whole of the Igbo country and be
yond. Aro reached the zenith of a great build up that took over two
hundred and fifty years within the period we reviewed. The Eze
Aro throne and such institutions as the Ekpe society and the
Ibinukpabi ensured that a stable traditional government was
firmly in place.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the Nwa Mgbede train
had by then made its umpteenth rounds through the labyrinthine
streets of Amazu, Ibom Isii down to the Ezumezu square at
Obinkita. Each round show cased sheer choreography, beauty,
pageantry, love, dance, song, masks, sculpture and customs
which had been handed down from one generation to another.
Succinctly put, the Ekpe institution, the Ibinukpabi, Aro calendar,
the Omu Aro emblem, the Omu Aro George (wrapper), the Aro
world view, the Eze Aro throne etc, are undiminishable aspects
of Aro tradition and culture which shall remain with us so long as
the sun rises from the East and withdraws in the West. These
and a lot more form the integral part of Aro nation. They are
inseparable as they are inalienable and identifiable with the Aros.
Furthermore, each generation discovers its essence, the protec
tion of Aro identity and the propagation of Aro culture and civiliza
tion would have to be taken to another level in an age of informa
tion technology. People from other places want to know how Aro
is faring. Historians, scholars and academics would want to
verify their information on Aro, validate their views and
authenticate facts available to them through secondary sources.
This is why Aro should begin to make conscious effort to
represent Aro Kingdom to the world in the twenty first century.
Events aimed towards proper education and information should
be taken up. Aro Kingdom can be re-packaged and presented to
the world as a tourist destination and it becomes one. The world
needs information in order to be aware. Emphasis, therefore
should be on positive issues that would encourage sustainable
development.
We should be conscious of the new challenges which face us as
a people: poverty, disease, illiteracy, hunger and under
development. We must equally work hard to reduce or even
eliminate them. Consequently, we must wake up to the clarion
call to duty. We must re-awaken the impetus which gave rise to
the establishment of a thousand and one settlements and
trading out-posts allover the Igbo nation and beyond. That
enterprising spirit of our forebears must be rekindled in us as it
holds our only hope to remain relevant in the years to come.
We often enthuse that Aro was great, yet Aro could be greater in
our time if we stop sleeping on our oars, eschew bitterness, vain
glory and complacency and work hard as those before us did in
order to uplift our great kingdom. By so doing our collective
survival, health, and happiness would be forever sure.
To Purchase Hard/ Soft Copies, please email
sales@aronewsonline.com
Vol. 3
FORWARD
This is the third volume in our book series. The first
and second were published in 2001 and 2004,
respectively. On purpose, each of the volumes
marked specific events in our history in particular,
and in Aro, in general. Whereas Volume 1 was timed
to coincide with the 1st centenary commemoration of
the Anglo-Aro war of 1901; Volume 2 was packaged
to celebrate the third edition of the All-Aro National
Conference which held at Ajalli. The present volume
is no less significant as it marks the tenth year of the
inception of Aro News publication. A historic event
associated with it is the formal hand-over of the
publishing project and firm (Aro News Publications
Ltd) to Nzuko Arochukwu, while the pioneer editors
dedicate themselves to developing and nurturing Aro
News International www.aronewsonline.com. This
third volume therefore, marks the end of the phase
of hard copy publishing by the pioneer editors.
Henceforth, we shall be available and read online
but our columns in the paper edition will remain. All
is well that ends well. It was ten years of unbroken
appearance on the newsstand. AroNews, lest we
forget, came as a child of circumstance. It hit the
newsstand on the heels of a kingship tussle that
polarized the kingdom. Then dissension, mistrust
and acrimony were propelled to the fore as norm.
Aro News came as a soothing balm on the frayed
nerves of our common heritage and community. It
provided the veritable platform for dialogue and
through that set agenda for meaningful
development. Aro News sparked off the
reawakening of interest and learning in Aro history
and civilization to near renaissance level. It
encouraged networking Aro Diaspora by reporting
news and development from such places. Indeed,
for once, there was a dialectical framework and
premise for the articulation of our common problem
and its solution. Ithank God for the rare opportunity of
being found worthy to serve the community
notwithstanding the high risk nature and
uncertainties that characterize publishing endeavor
in our environment. All through the period,
commitment to higher ideal of service to fatherland
was our sustaining value. Although past volumes
adequately captured the philosophical basis that
dictated our pioneering role, it’s worth highlighting
that the current volume, which marks the transfer of
ownership to Nzuko Arochukwu, completely satisfies
our yeaning at inception to create an organization
that would outlive its founders. A publishing firm
which we founded, nurtured and built up in the last
ten years has now assumed a life of its own,
including an online version. We give God the glory.
Disengaging from the current service apart from
being propitious in view of timing of one decade is
equally imperative given the need to train new hands
and to pursue higher endeavors. A major plank of
our next phase of community development initiatives
entail placing Aro at the centre stage of world
communication network, empowering Nzuko Aro to
deliver more dividends to the kingdom and reporting
Aro Diaspora to people at home via network. The
process started with my appointment as President
and Mazi Ben Ezumah, Executive Editor, Aro News
Online, by the board of Aronewsonline & Co. Our
current roles notwithstanding, we are committed to
ensuring that Aro News continues to make great
impact in the development of Arochukwu. So in
addition to playing advisory roles, including keeping
regular columns; we shall place our priceless
goodwill at the service of the present management.
Coupled with the websitewww.aronewsonline.com
we believe the community will surely be taken to
higher heights. Again, I remain grateful to our team
which is drawn from diverse backgrounds; Aro and
friends who are generally interested in literary works
irrespective of their callings in life. Larger interests of
service to humanity remain the unifying bond as
there was no pecuniary benefit to their efforts
because the outfit was run on not-for-profit basis.
Like the earlier volumes, the current one is a
collector’s item. It features major articles by various
writers that were published in Aro News from
January 2004 - December 2006. There were some
mid-quarter editions also. So, we do not claim any
originality in the ideas espoused except in the
articles authored by us. They were edited to desired
shape to meet the house standard and reader’s
expectations. Our thanks therefore, go to all those
who contributed articles during the period, thus
qualified to get a mention in the historic text. We
deliberately credited contributors with their bylines
as they would be too many to acknowledge
individually. However, I must not fail to appreciate the
invaluable contributions of the editorial board whose
sacrifices kept us in a good stead to contend with
the challenges inherent in this endeavor. You make
me proud. Finally, as a historic bow-out beckons, I
pray the Almighty to prosper and keep Aro in peace.
To people genuinely concerned about our future
roles, we are simply raising the stakes a notch
higher via the net. So as we sign-off from this phase
of service, we enlist your support for the current
publishers of our community’s foremost quarterly,
Aro News. May the wisdom of our forebears abide
with you. See you online soon. Thank you and God
bless.
Mazi Azubike Okoro
Founder/Pioneer Editor In-Chief
Abuja. June, 2008
Preface
For over a century Aro history was deliberately
suppressed, maligned and made to look obscure. In
the darkness of this ensuing conundrum many
versions and interpretations of Aro history emerged.
For a people vibrant and versatile as ancient Aro
who contributed immensely to the growth of the
economy of the sub-region through commitment in
produce buying and selling and such other sundry
business, it would indeed be perilous to ignore such
a people and such a history. Aro is very important.
Aro was once great. So great that it once stood as an
imperial power in the whole of the Eastern region
and beyond. That history, that civilization shouldn’t
be allowed to suffer misinterpretation especially by
outsiders and pseudohistorians. The authors
through the book series present Aro history as it is
not as perceived by outsiders or some
commentators. After over a decade of non-stop
coverage and reportage on Arochukwu; we now
have, and it’s no mean achievement, the richest,
largest and most authentic repository of materials
on Aro anywhere in the World. Aro now has its own
history, told by Aros. All the materials are uploaded
on the internet making accessibility easy for all who
desire to know the truth. The book is divided into five
parts from Aro Golden Age which captures historical
origins, clears gray areas and deepens our
understanding of Aro history and civilization to
issues bordering on development and some of the
challenges peculiar to most Third World economies.
This edition is a bumper harvest.
- Ben Ezumah
Abuja, June 2008
Goodwill Message
When one overviews the historical transition of Aro
News from its ten years of periodic publications to
its transition to www.aronewsonline.org, he cannot
but recognize not only the national pride of its
founding editors as Umu-Aro, but also the intensity
of their zeal and assiduity in proselytizing a
resurgence in Aro tradition and study of her history.
May I therefore congratulate this twosome team of
her founding editors for a concept excellently
conceived and a job well done. One does not need
to resort to subtle landmarks identified in their serial
publications to recognize the excellence of their
achievement. It is easy to attribute these landmarks
to the deserved merits of our revered ancestors very
much recognized in numerous excerpts from the
reports of early European explorers and later the
British colonial officers and merchants referred to in
Aro News publications. Suffice it to say that to have
effectively and efficiently sustained such a
community publication for a period of ten years is a
record achievement within any country, whether
developed, developing or under-developed. The
jewels on your crown are the three summary
publications – PERSPECTIVES ON ARO HISTORY &
CIVILIZATION, of which this is the third volume. My
dear editors, may I conclude this my congratulatory
note by recalling that among the religious, the
numbers three and ten are assessed as sacred. I
simply wonder if there is but only a coincidence in
your creating and piloting Aro News over this ten
year period which is interspersed with three crown
jewel publications! I greet you and wish you well,
and particularly more grease to your elbows as you
merge into the worldwide virtual publication.
Prof. Chris Aniche Okorafor
Enugu, June 16, 2008
Epilogue
What’s service without duty; worship without charity?
What’s love without sacrifice? As we come to the
glorious summit of this arduous climb, John Milton,
the 17th century poet’s On His Blindness, especially
the part on selfless service leaps off their ancient
pages in technicolor clarity: “God doth not need,
Either man’s work or his own gifts, Who best bear
his mild yolk, they Serve him best. His state Is kingly;
thousands at his bidding-speed And post o’er land
and ocean without rest. They also serve who only
stand and wait” Service is accomplished at varying
degrees. Some serve and take along all the
paraphernalia of modern Journalism for wide and
effective coverage. Popular as it may seem at the
time, such service ceases as soon as the light of
cameras shut-down. By its nature and with the
advantage of our common experience such service
is self serving It borders mainly on egocentricism. It
always amounts to sheer gimmickry, empty
posturing and nothing ness. It undermines the
essence of service and whatever it purports to serve.
On the other hand, some serve with God in mind
and humanity in view. They serve quietly and
diligently without expecting accolades, awards,
honours, praises and garlands presented on
rostrums amid the cheering crowd. Day and night
they toil and most often, though not unexpected, they
go unmentioned and unacknowledged. Come rain
or shine they continue on the course of service they
have chosen for themselves in the interest of
humanity. They toil. They sweat. They groan under
the weight of backcrushing labour that actually
belongs to everybody. They give so generously
without counting the cost. Viewed in any way without
wry cynicism, or fear of sounding immodest, such is
the quality and nature of service we have rendered to
Arochukwu Kingdom consistently in the past twelve
years. The current edition of Perspectives on Aro
History & Civilization captures past and current
efforts in this regard. Having formally handed over
Aro News – wholly and gratis to Nzuko Aro; and now
being run by an entirely new management/editorial
team; this book might as well be the last volume, in
the series, unless the new management decides
otherwise. The experience in the service to Aro has
been exhilarating as it has been interesting. The
lessons are simply huge. Arochukwu has rich
history, rich culture and immense potentials. The
journey towards sustainable development, though
turbulent, is a task that must be accomplished, not
by some foreigners or distant governments but by
Aro indigenes themselves; if Aro is to amount to
anything worthwhile in the years to come. Aro
citizens at home or in diaspora must work
assiduously determined to serve their homeland
without expecting reward or counting the cost. With
the publication of this volume, Aro history is now
brought together in a neat, concise and succinct
form. It has been made accessible and available in
newspaper form, book form and in virtual form on
the internet. Information on Arochukwu is now
available for whoever that searches for it in whatever
form. Above all, Aro history is now better known, well
packaged for easier access and understanding
anywhere on this planet. Passing our history and
civilization on to future generations constitutes one
of the most important accomplishments which the
founder/pioneer Editor-in-Chief of Aro News Group,
Mazi Azubike Okoro and the Group Editor, Mazi Ben
Ezumah have undertaken in all these years. Hence,
this book is a legacy and lasting testament of that
effort; and so far as the sunrises in the East and
sets in the West; so far as men breathe and can
read; they shall remember Arochukwu alongside the
men who truly served and uplifted her; only then
shall the intrinsic connection between our culturally
rich past and our bright and prosperous future shall
be made perfect.
To Purchase Hard/ Soft Copies, please email
sales@aronewsonline.com
FORWARD
This is the third volume in our book series. The first
and second were published in 2001 and 2004,
respectively. On purpose, each of the volumes
marked specific events in our history in particular,
and in Aro, in general. Whereas Volume 1 was timed
to coincide with the 1st centenary commemoration of
the Anglo-Aro war of 1901; Volume 2 was packaged
to celebrate the third edition of the All-Aro National
Conference which held at Ajalli. The present volume
is no less significant as it marks the tenth year of the
inception of Aro News publication. A historic event
associated with it is the formal hand-over of the
publishing project and firm (Aro News Publications
Ltd) to Nzuko Arochukwu, while the pioneer editors
dedicate themselves to developing and nurturing Aro
News International www.aronewsonline.com. This
third volume therefore, marks the end of the phase
of hard copy publishing by the pioneer editors.
Henceforth, we shall be available and read online
but our columns in the paper edition will remain. All
is well that ends well. It was ten years of unbroken
appearance on the newsstand. AroNews, lest we
forget, came as a child of circumstance. It hit the
newsstand on the heels of a kingship tussle that
polarized the kingdom. Then dissension, mistrust
and acrimony were propelled to the fore as norm.
Aro News came as a soothing balm on the frayed
nerves of our common heritage and community. It
provided the veritable platform for dialogue and
through that set agenda for meaningful
development. Aro News sparked off the
reawakening of interest and learning in Aro history
and civilization to near renaissance level. It
encouraged networking Aro Diaspora by reporting
news and development from such places. Indeed,
for once, there was a dialectical framework and
premise for the articulation of our common problem
and its solution. Ithank God for the rare opportunity of
being found worthy to serve the community
notwithstanding the high risk nature and
uncertainties that characterize publishing endeavor
in our environment. All through the period,
commitment to higher ideal of service to fatherland
was our sustaining value. Although past volumes
adequately captured the philosophical basis that
dictated our pioneering role, it’s worth highlighting
that the current volume, which marks the transfer of
ownership to Nzuko Arochukwu, completely satisfies
our yeaning at inception to create an organization
that would outlive its founders. A publishing firm
which we founded, nurtured and built up in the last
ten years has now assumed a life of its own,
including an online version. We give God the glory.
Disengaging from the current service apart from
being propitious in view of timing of one decade is
equally imperative given the need to train new hands
and to pursue higher endeavors. A major plank of
our next phase of community development initiatives
entail placing Aro at the centre stage of world
communication network, empowering Nzuko Aro to
deliver more dividends to the kingdom and reporting
Aro Diaspora to people at home via network. The
process started with my appointment as President
and Mazi Ben Ezumah, Executive Editor, Aro News
Online, by the board of Aronewsonline & Co. Our
current roles notwithstanding, we are committed to
ensuring that Aro News continues to make great
impact in the development of Arochukwu. So in
addition to playing advisory roles, including keeping
regular columns; we shall place our priceless
goodwill at the service of the present management.
Coupled with the websitewww.aronewsonline.com
we believe the community will surely be taken to
higher heights. Again, I remain grateful to our team
which is drawn from diverse backgrounds; Aro and
friends who are generally interested in literary works
irrespective of their callings in life. Larger interests of
service to humanity remain the unifying bond as
there was no pecuniary benefit to their efforts
because the outfit was run on not-for-profit basis.
Like the earlier volumes, the current one is a
collector’s item. It features major articles by various
writers that were published in Aro News from
January 2004 - December 2006. There were some
mid-quarter editions also. So, we do not claim any
originality in the ideas espoused except in the
articles authored by us. They were edited to desired
shape to meet the house standard and reader’s
expectations. Our thanks therefore, go to all those
who contributed articles during the period, thus
qualified to get a mention in the historic text. We
deliberately credited contributors with their bylines
as they would be too many to acknowledge
individually. However, I must not fail to appreciate the
invaluable contributions of the editorial board whose
sacrifices kept us in a good stead to contend with
the challenges inherent in this endeavor. You make
me proud. Finally, as a historic bow-out beckons, I
pray the Almighty to prosper and keep Aro in peace.
To people genuinely concerned about our future
roles, we are simply raising the stakes a notch
higher via the net. So as we sign-off from this phase
of service, we enlist your support for the current
publishers of our community’s foremost quarterly,
Aro News. May the wisdom of our forebears abide
with you. See you online soon. Thank you and God
bless.
Mazi Azubike Okoro
Founder/Pioneer Editor In-Chief
Abuja. June, 2008
Preface
For over a century Aro history was deliberately
suppressed, maligned and made to look obscure. In
the darkness of this ensuing conundrum many
versions and interpretations of Aro history emerged.
For a people vibrant and versatile as ancient Aro
who contributed immensely to the growth of the
economy of the sub-region through commitment in
produce buying and selling and such other sundry
business, it would indeed be perilous to ignore such
a people and such a history. Aro is very important.
Aro was once great. So great that it once stood as an
imperial power in the whole of the Eastern region
and beyond. That history, that civilization shouldn’t
be allowed to suffer misinterpretation especially by
outsiders and pseudohistorians. The authors
through the book series present Aro history as it is
not as perceived by outsiders or some
commentators. After over a decade of non-stop
coverage and reportage on Arochukwu; we now
have, and it’s no mean achievement, the richest,
largest and most authentic repository of materials
on Aro anywhere in the World. Aro now has its own
history, told by Aros. All the materials are uploaded
on the internet making accessibility easy for all who
desire to know the truth. The book is divided into five
parts from Aro Golden Age which captures historical
origins, clears gray areas and deepens our
understanding of Aro history and civilization to
issues bordering on development and some of the
challenges peculiar to most Third World economies.
This edition is a bumper harvest.
- Ben Ezumah
Abuja, June 2008
Goodwill Message
When one overviews the historical transition of Aro
News from its ten years of periodic publications to
its transition to www.aronewsonline.org, he cannot
but recognize not only the national pride of its
founding editors as Umu-Aro, but also the intensity
of their zeal and assiduity in proselytizing a
resurgence in Aro tradition and study of her history.
May I therefore congratulate this twosome team of
her founding editors for a concept excellently
conceived and a job well done. One does not need
to resort to subtle landmarks identified in their serial
publications to recognize the excellence of their
achievement. It is easy to attribute these landmarks
to the deserved merits of our revered ancestors very
much recognized in numerous excerpts from the
reports of early European explorers and later the
British colonial officers and merchants referred to in
Aro News publications. Suffice it to say that to have
effectively and efficiently sustained such a
community publication for a period of ten years is a
record achievement within any country, whether
developed, developing or under-developed. The
jewels on your crown are the three summary
publications – PERSPECTIVES ON ARO HISTORY &
CIVILIZATION, of which this is the third volume. My
dear editors, may I conclude this my congratulatory
note by recalling that among the religious, the
numbers three and ten are assessed as sacred. I
simply wonder if there is but only a coincidence in
your creating and piloting Aro News over this ten
year period which is interspersed with three crown
jewel publications! I greet you and wish you well,
and particularly more grease to your elbows as you
merge into the worldwide virtual publication.
Prof. Chris Aniche Okorafor
Enugu, June 16, 2008
Epilogue
What’s service without duty; worship without charity?
What’s love without sacrifice? As we come to the
glorious summit of this arduous climb, John Milton,
the 17th century poet’s On His Blindness, especially
the part on selfless service leaps off their ancient
pages in technicolor clarity: “God doth not need,
Either man’s work or his own gifts, Who best bear
his mild yolk, they Serve him best. His state Is kingly;
thousands at his bidding-speed And post o’er land
and ocean without rest. They also serve who only
stand and wait” Service is accomplished at varying
degrees. Some serve and take along all the
paraphernalia of modern Journalism for wide and
effective coverage. Popular as it may seem at the
time, such service ceases as soon as the light of
cameras shut-down. By its nature and with the
advantage of our common experience such service
is self serving It borders mainly on egocentricism. It
always amounts to sheer gimmickry, empty
posturing and nothing ness. It undermines the
essence of service and whatever it purports to serve.
On the other hand, some serve with God in mind
and humanity in view. They serve quietly and
diligently without expecting accolades, awards,
honours, praises and garlands presented on
rostrums amid the cheering crowd. Day and night
they toil and most often, though not unexpected, they
go unmentioned and unacknowledged. Come rain
or shine they continue on the course of service they
have chosen for themselves in the interest of
humanity. They toil. They sweat. They groan under
the weight of backcrushing labour that actually
belongs to everybody. They give so generously
without counting the cost. Viewed in any way without
wry cynicism, or fear of sounding immodest, such is
the quality and nature of service we have rendered to
Arochukwu Kingdom consistently in the past twelve
years. The current edition of Perspectives on Aro
History & Civilization captures past and current
efforts in this regard. Having formally handed over
Aro News – wholly and gratis to Nzuko Aro; and now
being run by an entirely new management/editorial
team; this book might as well be the last volume, in
the series, unless the new management decides
otherwise. The experience in the service to Aro has
been exhilarating as it has been interesting. The
lessons are simply huge. Arochukwu has rich
history, rich culture and immense potentials. The
journey towards sustainable development, though
turbulent, is a task that must be accomplished, not
by some foreigners or distant governments but by
Aro indigenes themselves; if Aro is to amount to
anything worthwhile in the years to come. Aro
citizens at home or in diaspora must work
assiduously determined to serve their homeland
without expecting reward or counting the cost. With
the publication of this volume, Aro history is now
brought together in a neat, concise and succinct
form. It has been made accessible and available in
newspaper form, book form and in virtual form on
the internet. Information on Arochukwu is now
available for whoever that searches for it in whatever
form. Above all, Aro history is now better known, well
packaged for easier access and understanding
anywhere on this planet. Passing our history and
civilization on to future generations constitutes one
of the most important accomplishments which the
founder/pioneer Editor-in-Chief of Aro News Group,
Mazi Azubike Okoro and the Group Editor, Mazi Ben
Ezumah have undertaken in all these years. Hence,
this book is a legacy and lasting testament of that
effort; and so far as the sunrises in the East and
sets in the West; so far as men breathe and can
read; they shall remember Arochukwu alongside the
men who truly served and uplifted her; only then
shall the intrinsic connection between our culturally
rich past and our bright and prosperous future shall
be made perfect.
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Perspectives on Aro History & Civilization
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