Management science is replete with qualities and traits that define leadership across geographies and history records different mould of leaders – charismatic, democratic, laisser-faire, autocratic, etc. However, what tends to define leadership best is the perception of the leader by the led. True, as leadership does not occur or exist in a vacuum, rather it is always in the context of or in the midst of society .i.e. the people who, at first instance, experience its impact. It is usually a tough task to pick His Majesty, Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro (CFR) out in a group excerpt for people that know him in person. And this task typically becomes more difficult if he is in the midst of the triumvirate. Of course, his regalia, though most times simple, could give him out easily. But such was the simplicity and modesty of our king, His Majesty, Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro (CFR), Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, 1995-2020. He brought egalitarianism and democratic norms to leadership and would defer to his cabinet on several issues, only to occasionally show glimpses of royalty by summarizing and closing matters. Perhaps, his western education and the wisdom associated with royalty, in addition to his natural humane disposition, assisted him to greatly redefine leadership, notwithstanding diverse perceptions, with a few being inclined to seeing it as a sign of weakness.

Ascending the throne after the outstandingly charismatic and longest reigning leader of the kingdom, Mazi Kanu Oji (OBE), whose records many believed would be a difficult task for any successor to match, and considering the circumstances that overshadowed his emergence, many, perhaps quite expectedly, did not give him the benefit of the doubt of quickly defining his own leadership legacy easily. But Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro, an erudite scholar, proved himself ‘a giant’ and within a short time, etched his name in gold in the annals of our history. Remarkably, his philosophy of leadership was unique and quite interesting, and he clearly espoused the ideas to many at different fora, including myself. According to him, ‘every Nwa Aro is wearing the crown’, so we are the symbols and representatives of the kingdom wherever we may be in the world. While he is holding the throne in trust from the palace, we are therefore, expected to ‘reign’ wherever we reside and our attitude and character will either further or diminish its prestige and aura.

His Majesty strongly believed in his people and was very proud each time he played host to them either at Arochukwu, or during his occasional visits outside the town. It was very easy to see contentment around him, just like the joy parents have for their children. This singular attitude greatly assisted the community in occasions when disagreement occurred within or without the ruling circle, because the heat would easily evaporate and normalcy would triumph. Indeed, he elevated decency in leadership to a norm and those around him managed, as much as they could, to appreciate and cultivate the rare qualities he exhibited. So naturally, the news about the monarch’s journey to Ovia Uwasi threw the Arochukwu Kingdom into a mournful mood. Though his failing health restricted him from public ceremonies for some time, Umu Aro lived with the assurance of his being alive and his occasional appearances, messages, even by proxy, until the news broke. The royal family, Umu Okennachi, Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide and the entire community rose to the challenge and took quick decision to accord him deserving rites of passage, according to Aro tradition and customs. The Aro National Burial Committee, under the leadership of Mazi (Prof) Okoro Ijoma, with distinguished Umu Aro from the homestead and Aro communities locally and overseas, dissolved into sub-committees such as finance, culture, entertainment, venue/logistics, publicity/publications etc, worked assiduously and mobilized the citizens and resources to actualize the on-going ceremonies. It started with ‘ntisu madu’ on April 2, 2021 and would continue until April 5, 2021, with various performances by Ekpe society, Iyamba, cultural troupes, rare masquerades, to condolence visits by in-laws, friends, well wishers, etc. Umu Aro and guests outside the kingdom would be able to follow the proceedings via Aronewsonline facebook live coverage and Zoom as some performances shall be staged both at the palace and at the Civic Centre. The Zoom event is scheduled to start 3pm in order to accommodate the time differences for Umu Aro living overseas.

Royal rites of passage ceremonies are rare occasions and only few people may be lucky to witness them twice in their lifetime. Accordingly, the royal brochure team under my leadership was tasked with producing a rich and culturally deep document to showcase our culture and tradition in addition to serving as best souvenir for Umu Aro and guests. The diverse background of team members made it possible and timely too. Good job everyone! The prologue by Mazi Sunny Anicho Okoro, Secretary-General, Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide set the right tone by capturing the background of ascendency to the throne and significant issues that characterized the 25 years reign of the monarch, while the biography crafted by Mazi Ugo Okorafor, Chair publicity and publications and the erudite Professor of History and Chair, National Burial Committee, Mazi Okoro Ijoma, situated his kingship within the Arochukwu monarchy, chronicled the monarch’s life and times, key achievements and milestones, etc. In his ‘Beyond A King: A True Family Man’, Ernie Onwumere, Ugwuaro, captured the stool of Eze Aro as the essence, centre of Aro civilization, governance and unity and provided the basis for tributes that poured in from far and wide, including Aro communities in diaspora, government functionaries, traditional authorities, etc. while the quite fitting tribute by the Arianzu Arochukwu, Mazi Augustine Kanu Okoro, led the pack and welcomed the world to Arochukwu, an ancient Kingdom without boundary. Dr Robin Sanders, the erstwhile United States of America ambassador to Nigeria in her ‘My Visit to Nigeria’s Cradle of Aro Culture and Civilization’ provided the world a broad picture about the ‘myth and reality’ of the ancient kingdom beyond what great scholars and pseudo-historians recorded and to properly situate the kingdom in its true socio-economic status, another erudite scholar, Professor Chris Aniche Okorafor, provided a background to its origin, the diaspora communities, highlights of its political and commercial exploits, etc. The Chair, Culture Sub-Committee, Mazi Kanu Ivi, FCA availed everyone rare insight into our rich tradition by laying out the meaning and cultural significance of ‘Ovia Uwasi’ as well as the associated processes and observances towards according an Aro king a deserving rite of passage. Notable landmarks that would serve as pictorial evidence of Arochukwu’s glorious and historic past were not left out, likewise articles that touch on key aspects of some community activities, such as Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa’s ‘Aro in Politics: Present and the Future’ that traced the eminent role of Umuaro in politics, starting from the pre-colonial administrative exploits of our forebears to successive Nigerian republics and cautioned against inter-communal conflicts as against using politics as a developmental tool for the good of Aro society. However, what most Aro and non-Aro audience will find very captivating is the interesting piece by @Chido247 appropriately captioned ‘Aro uzo, foot soldiers of Aro identity and greatness’ where relying on a true-lie story, he took the historical trajectory to bemoan the ignorance of people that fail to appreciate the reality of Aro identity, thus wonder why Umuaro in communities all over Nigeria and beyond wont discard their heritage and assume the identity of their places of domicile. Condolence and goodwill messages were received from all over, to bid the sage goodbye to eternity. An epitome of glamour and positive activism, even with a calm mien; with your able leadership, Aro at home and in the Diaspora were greatly conscientized about the values of love and brotherhood, and with your occasional appearance at rare events, such as the All-Aro National Conference, you motivated our diaspora relations about reconnecting with their ancestral abode.  When the ‘Aro 2002’ was staged, you rallied all Aro to a great home-coming and raised the bar on countering negative sentiments about the kingdom’s historic past exploits.

Mazi, as eternity beckons, there cannot be a better tribute and compliment to your good deeds and endeavors than for Umu Aro to actualize your desire for a more united and prosperous kingdom. Given that another existence has materialized, we shall not as Christians tarry for long in sorrow. We shall rather take solace in the unfailing love of the God that does not change. As you depart to eternity, may your legacies of service, humility and love of God, the kingdom and mankind remain beacons of hope to the living. May God grant your soul eternal repose, console your family, Arochukwu and the rest of humanity. We love you and shall miss you dearly. We shall remember you till eternity. Goodnight!

As the curtain falls on the royal rite of passage for Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro (CFR), let me credit everyone that worked in concert with the brochure team to achieve our target. We are thankful to advertisers and authors of published articles, including Umuaro at various abodes whose efforts ensured that the royal rite of passage is a success. The national and sub-committee members of the burial team, especially my colleagues in the publicity and publications beat, did a marvelous job, including the production crew ably led by Asonye, Ernie, Ugo, Uche and Bode, that spared no effort to ensure that deadlines were met. I salute everyone and urge you not to rest on your oars in serving the kingdom in the months and years ahead. Indeed, we shall continue to savor the honor and privilege of serving Arochukwu in any capacity for the sake of building and sustaining its brand. As we depart today, let us rededicate ourselves to being true ambassadors of the kingdom as enjoined by His Majesty. May the enthronement of eternal brotherhood of Aro-Okeigbo in thoughts, words and deeds remain our watchword this Easter season and beyond.